A gigantic Meckel's diverticulum: A case report of an exceptional cause of small bowel obstruction

INTRODUCTION: Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital malformation of the digestive tract, but the odds of stumbling on MD exceeding 10 cm are rare. Although obstruction is described in the literature, its occurrence due to an internal hernia caused by a fibrous band generated from a gigantic diverticulum is exceptional. This presentation aims to illustrate an exceptionally rare case of a gigantic MD responsible for a bowel obstruction due to the constriction caused by a fibrous band. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old patient was admitted with symptoms of small bowel obstruction. On Examination, the abdomen was distended with rebound tenderness in the right iliac fossa. A CT scan showed a small bowel volvulus without signs of appendicitis. During emergency laparotomy, we found a 25 cm-long MD. The tip of the diverticulum was linked to the adjoining mesentery through a fibrous band, forming a narrow internal ring responsible for the strangulation of a part of the ileum, leading to gangrene. DISCUSSION: Small bowel obstruction caused by a gigantic MD is rare. Diagnosis can be challenging due to its unspecific features. Management of complicated MD is surgical. Nevertheless, the management of asymptomatic MD continues to be a topic of significant disparity among authors, as there are no definitive guidelines that unequivocally dictate whether resection is warranted or not. CONCLUSION: A gigantic MD causing small bowel obstruction is rare. Emergency doctors and surgeons should maintain a high index of suspicion for complicated MD in the preoperative phase to reduce morbidity and mortality.