The pathogeny and treatment of Meckel's diverticulum bleeding in children

Objective To investigate the pathogeny and treatment of Meckel′s diverticulum bleeding in children.Methods A retrospective analysis was made on 19 children with Meckel′s diverticulum bleeding between January 1995 to January 2003.Results Five cases were treatmented with open approach resection of Meckel′s diverticulum.Fourteen cases were treatmented with laparoscopic assisted resection of Meckel′s diverticulum.Five cases studied with antibodies specific for Helicobacter pylori were negative.All had ectopic gastric mucosa in their diverticulum.The site of ulcreation was located at the ileal mucosa in the diverticulum for 12 patients and at the ectopic gastric mucosa for 2 cases.Conclusions Meckel′s diverticulum bleeding is caused by ectopic gastric mucosa,not by infection of Helicobacter pylori.The site of ulcreation most often is located at the normal ileal mucosa in the diverticulum.Whether a laparoscopic or open approach is used,the importance of extemal appearance of diverticulum orpalpation to identify the location of ectopic gastric mucosa and ulceration should be emphasized.