Double trouble: concomitant Meckel’s diverticulitis and acute appendicitis

Although Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the small bowel (2% prevalence worldwide), it rarely causes symptoms, with only 4% of those with the anomaly developing any complications, including Meckel’s diverticulitis. In contrast to this, appendicitis is the most common general surgical emergency, with a lifetime incidence of 6.7–8.6%. Therefore, the case of a man presenting with right-sided abdominal pain to an Emergency Department with both Meckel’s diverticulitis and appendicitis is rare. This case study illustrates the importance of careful assessment of the entire abdomen when operating on patients with right-sided abdominal pain, so as not to miss Meckel’s diverticulitis even when appendicitis has already been found.