MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM: DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGE AND SURGICAL APPROACH

Abstract

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly in the small intestine. An incomplete obliteration of the ophallus duct is the cause of the alteration, found in 2% of the population. In most cases diverticular disease is asymptomatic, but may present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations when some type of complication arises, usually in the form of inflammation, obstruction or bleeding, making the list of differential diagnoses wide. Its diagnosis is difficult and still considered a great challenge because, generally, complementary tests show only the alterations that are due to complications. Diagnosis, in most cases, is made during surgery.