Meckel's diverticulum in an umbilical hernia

Abstract

Abstract This patient merits description for two reasons: It would appear from her history that she ruptured her umbilical hernia in the seventh month of her eighth pregnancy. This would therefore be the third reported case of this complication (De Glanville, 1955; Young, 1965). Also, she seems to be only the second adult whose umbilical hernia has contained an uncomplicated Meckel'S diverticulum. Logically and mathematically the chances are that this event would occur more frequently, and it is possible that undiscovered Meckel'S diverticula are unwittingly being replaced into the abdominal cavity during the repair of umbilical herniae. The literature clearly indicates that where a Meckel'S diverticulum is discovered incidentally, it should be removed, and that its removal is not associated with significant increase in operative morbidity or mortality.