Should an Incidental Meckel Diverticulum Be Resected? A Systematic Review

Vipul D Yagnik,1,2 Pankaj Garg,3 Sushil Dawka4 1Department of Surgery, Banas Medical College and Research Institute, Palanpur, GJ, India; 2Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Nishtha Surgical Hospital and Research Centre, Patan, GJ, India; 3Department of Colorectal Surgery, Garg Fistula Research Institute, Panchkula, HR, India; 4Department of Surgery, SSR Medical College, Belle Rive, MauritiusCorrespondence: Vipul D Yagnik, Department of Surgery, Banas Medical College and Research Institute, at and PO: Moriya, Palanpur, GJ, India, Email vipul.yagnik@gmail.comBackground: Meckel Diverticulum [MD), a common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, poses a dilemma when incidentally encountered during surgery. Despite historical descriptions and known complications of symptomatic MD, the decision to resect an incidental MD (IMD) lacks clear guidelines. This study aims to assess whether resecting IMDs is justified by synthesizing evidence from studies published between 2000 and 2023. Factors influencing this decision, such as demographic risks, surgical advancements and complications, are systematically examined.Methods and Material: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this review incorporates 42 eligible studies with data on outcomes of asymptomatic MD management. Studies, both favoring and opposing resection, were analyzed.Results: Considering complications, malignancy potential, and operative safety, the risk-benefit analysis presents a nuanced picture. Some authors propose conditional resection based on specific criteria, emphasizing patient-specific factors. Of 2934 cases analyzed for short- and long-term complications, the morbidity rate was 5.69%. Of 571 cases where mortality data were available, all 5 fatalities were attributed to the primary disease rather than IMD resection.Conclusion: The sporadic, unpredictable presentation of IMD and the variability of both the primary disease and the patient make formulation of definitive guidelines challengi