Clinical Analysis of Vitelline Duct Anomalies in Children

ABSTRACT

A vitelline duct (VD) anomaly is a relatively common congenital abnormality of the umbilical area. The anomalies include patent vitelline duct (PVD), cyst, fistula or sinus. The incidence is approximately 2% of the populations, but development of symptoms is rare. Recently, we experienced two cases; PVD accompanied by a smallomphalocele and intestinal volvulus due to mesenteric band between Meckel's diverticulum and the mesentery. Thereafter,we evaluated the data of vitelline duct anomalies for 27 years. From 1980 to 2006, 18 cases of VD anomalies were reviewed based on the hospital records retrospectively. There were 15 boys and 3 girls and age ranged from 2 days to 15 years. Among the 18 cases, 15 cases were symptomatic and consisted of Meckel's diverticulum (10 cases), PVD (4 cases) and umbilical polyp (1 case). Three asymptomatic cases of Meckel's diverticulum were found incidentally were and were observed without resection. Ten cases of Meckel's diverticulum were presented with intestinal bleedings (4 cases), intestinal obstructions (5 cases) and perforation (1 case). Wedge resections and segmental resections of ileum were performed in 8 patients and 2 patients, respectively. Postoperative complications were adhesive ileus (1 case) and wound seroma (1 case). Small omphaloceles were accompanied in two of 4 PVD patients. There was 1 small omphalocele case which was accompanied by a prolapse of ileum. In summary, VD anomalies were more common in male and more than half of them were found in patients less than 1 year of age. PVD was diagnosed most frequently in neonates. Meckel's diverticulum presented with intestinal obstruction more frequently than bleeding.