Erol BASUGUY, Mustafa AZIZOGLU, Serkan ARSLAN, Tahsin Onat KAMCI, Mustafa ATAN, Hakkari AYDOGDU, Bahattin AYDOGDU, Mehmet Hanifi OKUR
Experimental Biomedical Research - 2026;9(4):314-323
Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the recently adopted laparoscopic-assisted technique for Meckel's diverticulum excision at our center by comparing it with our previous open surgical experience. Methods: This study is based on a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgery for Meckel's diverticulum at our clinic between January 1, 2010, and May 1, 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: open excision (Group OT) and laparoscopic excision [Group CL, including three-port and transumbilical laparoscopic excision of Meckel's diverticulum (TULEM) techniques]. The study analyzed demographics, diverticulum characteristics, surgical methods, and complications. A PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework evaluated patients under 18, comparing open and laparoscopic techniques, focusing on complications and risk factors for bowel resection. Results: The final analysis included 95 patients (79 open and 16 laparoscopic), with a median age of 4 (1;10) years. TULEM was used in 81% of Group CL. Wedge resections accounted for 59%, and complications occurred in 6.3%. Isolated MD symptoms were more common in Group CL (87.5%, p<0.001), while secondary diseases prevailed in Group OT (65.8%, p<0.001). Resected bowel length and diverticulum characteristics showed no significant differences between groups (p>0.05). Secondary diseases significantly predicted increased bowel resection length (p=0.040), but no variable significantly predicted complications based on regression analyses. Conversion to conventional open procedure was 0%. No complications related to laparoscopy were detected. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the TULEM is a safe and feasible alternative to conventional open surgery for the management of Meckel's diverticulum in children.
