When viewing this topic in a different language, you may notice some differences in the way the content is structured, but it still reflects the latest evidence-based guidance.

Divertículo de Meckel

  • Overview
  • Theory
  • Diagnosis
  • Management
  • Follow up
  • Resources
Last reviewed: 12 Aug 2025
Last updated: 31 Jan 2025

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • idade <2 anos
  • passagem retal de sangue vermelho vivo (hematoquezia)
  • constipação intratável (obstipação)
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • sexo masculino
  • náuseas e vômitos
  • cólicas abdominais
  • dor na parte inferior do abdome
  • desconforto abdominal difuso
  • massa abdominal palpável
  • hipotensão/taquicardia
Full details

Risk factors

  • não há fatores de risco conhecidos
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • Hemograma completo
  • endoscopia por cápsula
  • Angiotomografia ou angiografia mesentérica
  • varredura com pertecnetato de tecnécio-99m ("varredura de Meckel")
  • tomografia computadorizada (TC) do abdome e da pelve
  • ultrassonografia de abdome
Full details

Tests to consider

  • enema com contraste
  • enterografia por tomografia computadorizada (TC)
  • endoscopia por duplo balão
  • exploração cirúrgica do abdome
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

assintomático

pacientes sintomáticos

Contributors

Authors

Ali Tavakkoli, MBBS, FRCS, FACS
Ali Tavakkoli

Chief

Division of General and GI Surgery

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Associate Professor of Surgery

Harvard Medical School

Boston

MA

Disclosures

AT declares that he has no relevant financial conflicts related to this topic.

Acknowledgements

Dr Ali Tavakkoli would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Gordon G. Wisbach, a previous contributor to this topic.

Disclosures

GGW declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Sina Dorudi, PhD, FRCS, FRCS (Gen)

Professor of Surgical Oncology

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

The Royal London Hospital

London

UK

Disclosures

SD declares that he has no competing interests.

Wael El-Matary, MBBCh, MD, MRCP

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

University of Alberta

Edmonton

Alberta

Canada

Disclosures

WEM declares that he has no competing interests.

Stephen Kavic, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery

University of Maryland

Baltimore

MD

Disclosures

SK declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Hansen CC, Søreide K. Systematic review of epidemiology, presentation, and management of Meckel's diverticulum in the 21st century. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Aug;97(35):e12154.Full text  Abstract

Yahchouchy EK, Marano AF, Etienne JC, et al. Meckel's diverticulum. J Am Coll Surg. 2001 May;192(5):658-62. Abstract

Gan T, Evers MB. Meckel diverticulum. In: Townsend CM Jr. Sabiston textbook of surgery. 21st ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2021:1240-300.

Sengupta N, Kastenberg DM, Bruining DH, et al. The role of imaging for GI bleeding: ACG and SAR consensus recommendations. Radiology. 2024 Mar;310(3):e232298.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer