Meckel's diverticulum in a strangulated femoral hernia. Case report and review of literature.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. In the vast majority of cases it remains asymptomatic throughout life but in about 5% of cases it gives rise to complications, namely, haemorrhage, intestinal obstruction and inflammation. A rare complication is being presented--a femoral hernia containing a strangulated Meckel's diverticulum. This is known as Littre's hernia, which often exhibits subtle variations from the norm in its presentation. Preoperative diagnosis of Littre's hernia containing Meckel's diverticulum is rather difficult; almost always, the strangulated diverticulum is first discovered during operation. The diverticulum was resected and the femoral canal closed by a polypropylene mesh plug. The patient underwent an uneventful recovery and was discharged home on the fourth postoperative day. Complications arising from Meckel's diverticulum usually occur at a young age, with the ectopic tissue present in the diverticulum frequently being the cause of the symptoms. Criteria for the resection of Meckel's diverticulum found incidentally at laparotomy have been suggested.