MECKEL DIVERTICULUM

Course overview

MECKEL DIVERTICULUM IS A COMMON CONGENITAL ABNORMALITY OF THE SMALL INTESTINE CAUSED BY INCOMPLETE OBLITERATION OF THE VITELLINE (OMPHALOMESENTERIC) DUCT. MOST OF THE PATIENTS WITH MECKEL DIVERTICULUM ARE ASYMPTOMATIC, WITH THE ABNORMALITY DISCOVERED ONLY INCIDENTALLY ON IMAGING STUDIES. THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOM DEVELOPED IS PAINLESS RECTAL BLEEDING. THIS ACTIVITY ILLUSTRATES THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF MECKEL DIVERTICULUM AND REVIEWS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN IMPROVING CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.