Appendicitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Appendicitis, including details on symptoms, surgery, causes, treatment.

Perforation of Meckel's Diverticulum Manifesting as Aseptic Peritonitis in a Neonate: Report of a Case.

Oyachi N, Takano K, Hasuda N, Arai H, Koshizuka K, Matsumoto M

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Second Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamanashi University, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.

We report a case of perforated Meckel's diverticulum with aseptic peritonitis in a 17-day-old neonate. The baby had been brought to the hospital with fever and abdominal distention. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 5-cm abscess in the lower abdomen, and emergency laparotomy was performed for suspected perforated appendicitis. However, we found a perforated Meckel's diverticulum. No bacteria were detected in the purulent ascites from the peritoneal cavity. We speculate that the narrow lumen between the small intestine and the diverticulum, accompanied by poor self-emptying had caused acute inflammation resulting in perforation of Meckel's diverticulum. The anatomic limitations in "walling off" the perforated Meckel's diverticulum by the surrounding loops of small intestine prevented the bowel contents from spreading within the peritoneal cavity.

Published 19 September 2007 in Surg Today, 37(10): 881-3.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Appendicitis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.