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Meckel's diverticulum - Treatment

Treatment:

Surgery to remove the diverticulum is recommended if bleeding develops. In these rare cases, the segment of small intestine that contains the diverticulum is surgically removed. The ends of the intestine are sewn back together.

You may need iron replacement to correct anemia. If you have a lot of bleeding, you may need a blood transfusion.

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery can be expected with surgery.

Complications:

Excess bleeding (hemorrhage)
Folding of the intestines (intussusception), a type of blockage
Peritonitis
Tear (perforation) of the bowel at the diverticulum

Calling your health care provider:

See your health care provider promptly if your child passes blood or bloody stool or complains repeatedly of abdominal discomfort.

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Meckel's diverticulectomy - series

Reviewed last on: 10/13/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kahn E, Daum F. Anatomy, histology, embryology, and developmental anomalies of the small and large intestine. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Sleisenger MH, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 93.

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