
Letters to the Editor
Author(s) -
Ismael Mora-Guzmán,
José Luis Muñoz de Nova,
Elena MartínPérez
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
bulletin of the royal college of surgeons of england
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1478-7075
pISSN - 1473-6357
DOI - 10.1308/rcsbull.2018.10
Subject(s) - asymptomatic , medicine , diverticulum (mollusc) , meckel's diverticulum , neuroendocrine tumors , complication , resection , surgery , general surgery
A Meckel's diverticulum is a common anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Although the majority of patients do not have any symptoms, malignancies can develop inside these diverticula, with neuroendocrine tumours being the most common. Diverticulectomy is the best option for complicated diverticula but prophylactic resection of asymptomatic diverticula in adults remains controversial. We present a case series of three patients with a neuroendocrine tumour found in a Meckel's diverticulum. Given the number of asymptomatic diverticula not resected, it seems likely that incidental neuroendocrine tumours are more prevalent than thought previously. With the minimally invasive techniques now available and the low complication rate for incidental diverticulectomy, we believe that the benefits of resection of this high risk area for cancer outweigh the risks of surgery.