Purpose
This study aimed to compare perioperative outcomes between laparoscopic-assisted diverticulectomy and laparoscopic-assisted small bowel resection for Meckel diverticulum.
Methods
This single-center retrospective comparative cohort study included 39 patients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted surgery for Meckel diverticulum at Samsung Medical Center, Korea, between June 2010 and December 2023. Patients were classified into the laparoscopic-assisted diverticulectomy group or the laparoscopic-assisted small bowel resection group. Baseline characteristics, preoperative presentation, operative time, time to first oral feeding, postoperative hospital stay, complications, reoperation, and follow-up outcomes were compared between groups.
Results
Of the 39 patients, 19 underwent laparoscopic-assisted diverticulectomy and 20 underwent laparoscopic-assisted small bowel resection. Baseline characteristics and preoperative presentation did not differ significantly between groups. Operative time was significantly shorter in the diverticulectomy group than in the small bowel resection group (median, 55.0 vs. 76.0 minutes; P=0.002). Time to first oral feeding did not differ significantly between groups (median, 2 days [2–2 days] vs. 2 days [1–3 days]; P=0.397). Postoperative hospital stays also did not differ significantly between groups (median, 4 days [3–4 days] vs. 4 days [4–5 days]; P=0.118), although hospitalization tended to be longer in the laparoscopic-assisted small bowel resection group. No statistically significant difference in complication rates was observed between groups; however, the number of events was low, limiting definitive comparison.
Conclusion
Laparoscopic-assisted diverticulectomy was associated with shorter operative time and a tendency toward shorter postoperative hospital stay than small bowel resection, without an observed increase in early complications. It may be a reasonable option for carefully selected patients with uncomplicated Meckel diverticulum.