Laparoscopic Meckel's diverticulectomy in infants: report of three cases.

Three infants younger than 2 years presented with episodic bloody-to-tarry stool of moderate amount. Two of them were diagnosed to have Meckel's diverticulum because of a positive 99mTc pertechnetate scan. Although the third infant had two negative radionuclide scans within 3 months, Meckel's diverticulum was still suspected by exclusion studies. All three infants underwent laparoscopic surgery. At laparoscopy, a Meckel's diverticulum was identified in all. Besides, an ileoileo intussusception just proximal to the diverticulum was also found in one patient. Reduction of the intussusception and diverticulectomy were performed successfully by laparoscopic procedure. Compared with conventional laparotomy, this procedure has the advantages of direct preoperative visual confirmation of the diagnosis, less traumatic access, much shorter recovery period and perhaps fewer intraoperative and postoperative complications. And thus, laparoscopic surgery has the potential of becoming regular treatment for symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum of infants.