Meckel’s diverticulum [Johann F. Meckel, 1781–1833] , an anomalous sac protruding from the wall of the ileum between 30 and 90 cm from the ileocecal sphincter. It is congenital, resulting from the incomplete closure of the yolk stalk, and occurs in 1% to 2% of the population. The diverticulum is usually asymptomatic, but the condition is suggested by signs of appendicitis in infancy; by sudden and painless bleeding in the sac, usually in childhood; or by symptoms of intestinal obstruction. Symptomatic diverticula are most commonly resected. Surgical resection of asymptomatic diverticula is also recommended to prevent potential diverticulitis, obstruction, and blood loss. Many Meckel’s diverticula are discovered incidentally during surgery for other causes and on postmortem examination.
