Meckel'S Diverticulum: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

A diverticulum is a small pouch or sac like structure that develops at the weak points of the small or large intestines. Meckel’s Diverticulum is a congenital condition where a foetus develops the abnormal pouch between 5th and 7th weeks of development and is born with the diverticulum and vestigial remains of the yolk stalk, also called omphalomesentric duct. Symptoms of Meckel’s diverticulum are associated with the digestive system. These include blockages in the intestines, bleeding into it, inflammation, pain, and nausea and vomiting. Anemia may develop in some cases due to bleeding.

Treatment for Meckel’s diverticulum involves surgery to remove the diverticulum.

In some cases, the diverticulum is made up of intestinal cells and acts simply like an intestinal pouch. In these cases no significant problems arise. However, sometimes the diverticulum is made of stomach or pancreatic cells, and in these cases significant problems including blockage and bleeding may occur. Treatment for the condition involves surgical procedures to remove the diverticulum. Laparoscopy may be used for minimally invasive surgeries. If intestinal damage occurs, the damaged part is also removed surgically. A blood test determines blood cell count, and if it falls too low, blood transfusion therapy may be required.

Meckel’s Diverticulum shows no symptoms in most of the cases and is referred to as silent Meckel’s diverticulum. If symptoms appear, they mostly appear before two years of age. These symptoms include severe pain in the lower abdominal region due to blockage, bleeding from the rectum or black coloured stool. Symptoms appear sporadically and sometimes mimic apendicitis or pancreatitis. A number of different tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis, including blood tests, stool smear test, and technetium test.

Confirmatory tests are performed to correctly diagnose the condition of Meckel’s Diverticulum if symptoms appear. A technetium test involves injection of a dye into the veins, which shows up when scanned by a gamma camera as a spot separate from another of the stomach. Colonoscopy and angiography are also used to diagnose a Meckel’s Diverticulum. Treatment is not required for Meckel’s Diverticulum if these tests show negative results.

Very little side effects can arise from treatment of Meckel’s Diverticulum as it is a very simple surgical procedure. Anesthesia can sometimes induce nausea.

Post treatment guidelines include rest and regulated feeding for a period of about a month in infants, and rest and not lifting heavy weights along with regulated intake of food in case of older children, adolescents, or adults.

The surgical procedure is quite simple and complete recovery is usually made within three to four weeks.

Treatment cost for Meckel’s Diverticulum ranges between Rs.10,000 and Rs.50,000, rarely going over it.

Successful surgical treatment results are permanent as the diverticulum including affected portion of the intestine is removed completely, also stopping the bleeding.