Perforation of the Meckel’s diverticulum with a chicken bone: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Most of the people remain asymptomatic during their lifetime, but some can develop complications such as inflammation, haemorrhage or obstruction. Perforation of Meckel’s diverticulum is very rare, and we present a case of perforation by a chicken bone. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old man presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, and based on examination and laboratory findings, he was diagnosed with appendicitis initially. Meanwhile, a CT scan was requested and a foreign object inside the Meckel’s diverticulum was noted, and on further questioning, he mentioned that he had chicken with bones 2 days ago. He was taken to the operating theatre, and during laparotomy, the perforated Meckel’s diverticulum was found, and it was resected with primary anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Meckel’s diverticulum follows the ‘rule of twos’, and perforation of it with foreign object is rare. Patients usually present with signs and symptoms of acute abdomen, and appendicitis is the first diagnosis, and the final diagnosis is usually made intraoperatively. Perforation of Meckel’s diverticulum should be considered for the patients who present with acute abdomen, and with precise history taking and investigations, preoperative diagnosis can be achieved.