Laparoscopic repair of perforated cecal diverticulitis

Abstract

We present a case of cecal diverticulitis in a 15-year old Romani- girl, who underwent laparoscopy because of clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis. Intraoperatively a perforated cecal diverticulum next to a normal, uninflammated appendix was seen. To avoid ileocecectomy on a child, we excised the diverticulum and performed a laparoscopic suture repair. In addition an appendectomy was carried out. The patient recovered well and was discharged on the sixth post-operative day. This case report shows that laparoscopic diverticulectomy is a feasible alternative to a much more invasive open/laparoscopic ileocecectomy which carries significant long-term morbidity because of the loss of the valve of Bauhin. Keywords: Cecal diverticulitis, Laparoscopic repair, Diverticulectomy, Pediatric patient