Meckel's Diverticulum: to look or not to look: to resect or not to resect.

Abstract

The opinions of surgeons on their management of an incidentally found Meckel's Diverticulum under various circumstances is obtained and analysed. The literature is reviewed. It is concluded that no guidelines can be given to the junior surgeon that will be acceptable to all his seniors. Further studies have to be undertaken to ascertain where the actual complication rate of a Meckel's Diverticulum lies in the 1% to 33% range quoted in current publications, before an objective decision can be taken on whether to resect or not, with a view to reducing morbidity and mortality.