Meckel's diverticulum: a neglected (or deliberately ignored) entity.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common of all the possible abnormalities that incomplete obliteration of the omphalo-mesenteric duct can produce. Often it is not sought during surgery performed for other abdominal diseases, e.g. cases of appendicitis. In these situations searching for and treating Meckel's diverticulum may be regarded as simply a waste of time or unjustified because its surgical treatment is not a completely safe procedure. In our opinion the systematic search for, and treatment of, Meckel's diverticulum during surgery performed for other abdominal conditions should always be performed. Elective resection of the diverticulum is characterised by fewer postoperative complications than emergency surgery. Laparoscopy would appear to be safe and effective in the treatment of this pathology, even in cases of severe diverticulitis. We report on our last five years' experience with the surgical treatment of this rare pathology, mainly occurring in previously appendectomised patients. One aim of this study was to demonstrate the possible benefits of the laparoscopic approach, focussing attention on the advisability of searching for and resecting Meckel's diverticulum when discovered incidentally during abdominal interventions performed for other pathologies.