Meckel's diverticulum: prevalence in 1000 laparatomies

ABSTRACT

To detect the prevalence of Meckel's Diverticulum in children and adults aged 1 day to 90 years old. This is a cross sectional descriptive study of 1000 cases aged 1 day to 90 years old in the surgery wards of two educational hospitals, Mashhad, Iran from 1998 to 2004. The prevalence of Meckel's diverticulum, age, sex, and chief complain of patient and the site and size of the diverticulum were evaluated. Meckel's diverticulum was seen in 5.4% of patients. 62% of patients were younger than 2 years and 80% were male. Gastrointestinal and obstructive symptoms were the most common presenting feature of the condition [38%]. Meckel's diverticulum was observed at 40-59 cm distance from the ileosecal valve with 1-1.49cm length and 0.5-0.99 cm width. Meckel's diverticulum was more common in children younger than 2 years and was presented by GI obstructive signs in most patients.