BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: With regard to the recent interest in minimally invasive surgery, the authors report on a technique of transumbilical incision for Meckel s diverticulum and appendectomy, which provides better cosmetic results and no increase in complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The case records of 18 consecutive Meckel's diverticulum (MD) patients who were treated at Songklanagarind Hospital in Thailand between 1996 and 2005 were reviewed. RESULTS: The male-female ratio was 14-4 (3.5:1). Of the 15/18 (83.3%) symptomatic cases, presenting symptoms were bleeding 10/15 (66.7%), gut obstruction 2/15 (13.3%), peritonitis 2/15 (13.3%), and intussusception 1/15 (6.7%). All bleeding patients were children (age 1-15 years), 9/10 (90%) Meckel scan positive and 10/10 (100%) ectopic-gastic tissue. Four children underwent a circumumbilical incision. There were no perioperative or long-term complications related to the transumbilical approach. CONCLUSION: The umbilical incision has all the benefits of a minimal access approach. Umbilical incision is a safe, inexpensive, cosmetically pleasing, and easy technique. This minimally invasive surgery does not require long-term specialized training or special equipment.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: With regard to the recent interest in minimally invasive surgery, the authors report on a technique of transumbilical incision for Meckel s diverticulum and appendectomy, which provides better cosmetic results and no increase in complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The case records of 18 consecutive Meckel's diverticulum (MD) patients who were treated at Songklanagarind Hospital in Thailand between 1996 and 2005 were reviewed. RESULTS: The male-female ratio was 14-4 (3.5:1). Of the 15/18 (83.3%) symptomatic cases, presenting symptoms were bleeding 10/15 (66.7%), gut obstruction 2/15 (13.3%), peritonitis 2/15 (13.3%), and intussusception 1/15 (6.7%). All bleedingpatients were children (age 1-15 years), 9/10 (90%) Meckel scan positive and 10/10 (100%) ectopic-gastic tissue. Four children underwent a circumumbilical incision. There were no perioperative or long-term complications related to the transumbilical approach. CONCLUSION: The umbilical incision has all the benefits of a minimal access approach. Umbilical incision is a safe, inexpensive, cosmetically pleasing, and easy technique. This minimally invasive surgery does not require long-term specialized training or special equipment.