Citation

Tummers WS, van der Vorst JR, Swank DJ. Int. J. Surg. Case Rep. 2016; 19: 8-10.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Groene Hart Hospital, Gouda, the Netherlands. Electronic address: Dingeman.Swank@ghz.nl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijscr.2015.12.002

PMID

26701844

PMCID

PMC4756096

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: a Meckel's diverticulum is one of the most common congenital anomalies of the digestive tract. The reported lifetime complication rate is 4%, mostly due to hemorrhage, obstruction, perforation or inflammation. A symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum due to rupture after blunt abdominal trauma is very rare. We believe this case report is the first reporting a rupture of a Meckel's diverticulum after a low velocity blunt abdominal trauma and outlining the importance of a thorough and complete examination of the patient after blunt abdominal trauma. PRESENTATION OF CASE: a 17-year-old male presented with abdominal pain after blunt abdominal trauma during a soccer game. Physical examination showed signs of peritonitis in all quadrants of the abdomen. During admission the patient deteriorated with decreasing blood pressure and raising pulse rate. A CT-scan showed free abdominal fluid. Our patient was scheduled for an emergent laparotomy where a perforated Meckel's diverticulum with fecal spill was found. A segmental ileal resection was performed. Post-operative, patient developed a pneumonia and also intra-abdominal abscesses treated with percutaneous drainage. After an admission period of 17-days the patient was discharged.

CONCLUSION: perforation of a Meckel's diverticulum is rarely suspected as a cause of acute deterioration following blunt abdominal trauma. This case shows the importance of awareness of this kind of injury especially in male patients.

Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Blunt trauma; Meckel’s diverticulum; Traumatic rupture