Laparoscopic reduction of an ileoileal intussusception and resection of an inverted Meckel’s diverticulum in an adult

Intussusception occurs commonly in children, but rarely is observed in adults. Whereas the hydrostatic pressure of a contrast enema often proves diagnostic as well as therapeutic in infants and children, resection usually is required for an underlying bowel pathology in older children and adults. Conventionally, the resection is accomplished at laparotomy. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman who presented with diarrhea and vomiting of 1 week duration. She was found unexpectedly to have intussusception on abdominal ultrasonography. The intussusception was laparoscopically reduced, and a segment of the middle small bowel that harbored an inverted Meckel’s diverticulum was resected laparoscopically, after which an intracorporeal anastomosis was fashioned. The ileus resolved on postoperative day 4, and the patient was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 5. The role of the laparoscopic approach in the management of intussusception is discussed.