Spontaneous perforation of Meckel's diverticulum causing a partial small bowel obstruction: A case report

Authors

  • Simran Koura Brody School of Medicine
  • Veronica Urbik Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine
  • Richard Overman Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine
  • Rohini Olson Department of Pediatric Surgery, Brody School of Medicine
  • Maja Herco Department of Neonatology and Newborn Medicine, Brody School of Medicine
  • Shannon Longshore Department of Pediatric Surgery, Brody School of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52783/jns.v12.1127

Keywords:

Meckel's diverticulum, Perforation, Small bowel obstruction

Abstract

Background: Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital malformation in young children. Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum in a neonate is a rarity and poses diagnostic and management challenges.

Case Presentation: This patient is a former 26 5/7 week estimated gestational age infant who presented at 41 weeks corrected gestational age with abdominal distension and was discovered to have a perforated Meckel's diverticulum that presented as a partial small bowel obstruction. Resection of the involved bowel and ileo-ileal anastomosis was performed.

Conclusion: Small bowel obstructions should be considered as a potential presentation of a perforated Meckel's diverticulum.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Liaqat N, Mahomed A, Nayyar S, Akhtar N, Ali S, Haider N. Perforated Meckel's diverticulum in neonates: a report of six cases and systematic review of the literature. Ann Pediatr Surg. 2022; 18:1-9.

Aguayo P, Fraser JD, St. Peter SD, Ostlie DJ. Perforated Meckel's diverticulum in a micro premature infant and review of the literature. Pediatr Surg Int. 2009; 25:539-41.

Reddy SRR, Cappell MS. A systematic review of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of small bowel obstruction. Current Gastroenterol Rep. 2017; 19:28.

Zahraa J, Abu-Ekteish F, Al Bassam A-R, Nosir AA. Perforated Meckel's diverticulum in a neonate mimicking necrotizing enterocolitis. Pediatr Emer Care. 2003; 19:418-9.

Federici S, De Biagi L. Long-term outcome of infants with NEC. Curr Pediatr Rev. 2019; 15:111-4.

Wang Y-jiao, Wang T, Xia S-lin, Zhang Y-cheng, Chen W-bing, Li B. Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum in a very low birth weight neonate with severe pneumoperitoneum and review of the literature. Turkish J Pediatr. 2019; 61:460.

McKelvie M, Soares-Oliveira M, Wang-Koh Y, Trayers C, Aslam A. Beware the innocent presentation of a spontaneous perforated Meckel diverticulum. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2019;35(12):881-883.

Chang Y, Lin J, Huang Y. Spontaneous perforation of Meckel's diverticulum without peritonitis in a newborn: report of a case. Surg Today. 2006; 37:1114-7.

Oyachi N, Takano K, Hasuda N, Arai H, Koshizuka K, Matsumoto M. Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum manifesting as aseptic peritonitis in a neonate: Report of a case. Surg Today. 2007; 37:881-3.

Donahue L. Spontaneous intestinal perforation. Neonatal Network. 2007; 26:335-51.

Downloads

Published

2023-01-09

How to Cite

1.
Koura S, Urbik V, Overman R, Olson R, Herco M, Longshore S. Spontaneous perforation of Meckel’s diverticulum causing a partial small bowel obstruction: A case report. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2023 Jan. 9 [cited 2026 Feb. 23];12(1):7. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/1127

Issue

Vol. 12 (2023): Journal of Neonatal Surgery

Section

Case Report

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Simran Koura, Veronica Urbik, Richard Overman, Rohini Olson, Maja Herco, Shannon Longshore

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

You are free to:

  • Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

Terms:

  • Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
  • No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.