CLINICAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRESENCE OF ECTOPIC MUCOSA IN MECKEL’S DIVERTICULUM

43. Ulusal Çocuk Cerrahisi kongresi ve Mısır Çocuk Cerrahisi ortak kongresi, İstanbul, Türkiye, 21 - 24 Ekim 2026, ss.207-208, (Özet Bildiri)

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation and surgical management of pediatric patients

who underwent surgery for Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) and to compare the clinical, pathological, and anatomical

characteristics of patients with ectopic mucosa.

Methods: Medical records of children who underwent surgery for MD between 2020 and 2026 were retrospectively

reviewed. Demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, laboratory and radiological findings, operative

details, surgical techniques, pathological results, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Categorical variables

were compared using the chi-square test, and continuous variables using the independent samples t-test. Statistical

significance was defined as p<0.05.

Results: 33 patients were included, with a mean age of 9.1±5.3 years (range, 1 month–18 years); 26 (78.8%) were

male. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom (69.7%), while painless rectal bleeding occurred

in 24.2%. 20 patients underwent emergency surgery for acute abdomen, 9 had a preoperative diagnosis of MD, and

4 were diagnosed incidentally during elective procedures. Ultrasonography was the most frequently used imaging

modality, whereas Meckel’s scintigraphy was performed in all patients with rectal bleeding. A laparoscopic-assisted

(SPICES) approach was used in 69.7% of patients, and laparotomy in 30.3%. Surgical treatment included segmental

ileal resection with end-to-end anastomosis (48.5%), wedge resection (30.3%), and stapled diverticulectomy (21.2%).

Ectopic mucosa was identified in 36.4% of patients and was significantly associated with anemia (p=0.047), painless

rectal bleeding (p=0.027), greater distance from the ileocecal valve (p=0.012), and longer diverticular length (p=0.003).

No significant associations were found with sex, surgical approach, resection technique, diverticular base width, or

emergency presentation.

Conclusion: MD presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from acute abdomen to painless rectal

bleeding. Ectopic mucosa is associated with specific clinical and anatomical features that may improve preoperative

suspicion. Laparoscopic-assisted surgery is a safe and effective treatment option, providing favorable outcomes in most

pediatric patients.