A Clinical Study of Vitelline Duct and Vessel Remnants

ABSTRACT

Of 72 cases with vitelline duct and vessel remnants, 45 (62.5%) had symptomatic lesions (mean age, 27.9 months) with male preponderance (4.6 1). Among the 45 symptomatic lesions, there were 22 cases of Meckel's diverticulum, 6 cases of Meckel's diverticulum with fibrous band attached to the umbilicus, 6 cases of patent vitelline duct, 5 cases of vitelline artery remnant as fibrous band, 2 cases of umbilical sinus, 2 cases of umbilical polyp, and 2 cases of vitelline cyst. Twenty three cases (51%) presented with intestinal obstruction, 6 (13%) with rectal bleeding, 4 (9%) with perforated Meckel's diverticulum, 5 with intestinal fluid drainage through umbilicus, 5 with umbilical lesion, and 1 with abdominal mass. Intestinal obstruction due to fibrous band developed at infancy (average age, 4.6 months). About 82% of complicated Meckel's diverticulum (n=28) presented less than 4 years of age. Seventeen Meckel's diverticulums, 8 obliterated vitelline artery remnants, and 1 vitelline vein remnant as fibrous band were found incidentally at laparotomy.