Coexistence of a Meckel's diverticulum and a urachal remnant.

Meckel's diverticulum, which is a remnant of the omphalomesenteric or vitelline duct, is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal system. Urachal abnormalities, resulting from anomalous urogenital development, are not observed frequently and case reports are mainly represented in literature. The presence of these two congenital anomalies together is a very rare pathology. Complications arising from a Meckel's diverticulum or urachal remnant may clinically mimic acute appendicitis and other surgical pathologies. We report on a patient who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis when it was discovered that the symptoms were produced by a perforated Meckel's diverticulitis. In the course of the surgery, a urachal remnant was found to coexist with the diverticulum.

[Negative laparotomies in gunshot and stab injuries of the abdomen]. / Negative Laparotomien bei Schuss- und Stichverletzungen des Bauches.

A selective approach is taken, as a matter of principle, to cases of abdominal injuries at the Traumatological Department of the Faculty of Medicine at Instanbul University. Surgical treatment was applied to 378 in 2,968 hospitalised patients for contused or penetrating abdominal injuries, in 1983 and 1984. The rate of negative laparotomy was as low as 7.3 per cent owing to routine peritoneal flushing. However, laparotomy has been preferred and resulted in a negative laparotomy rate of 21 per cent, since problems are quite often faced in the diagnosis of stab injuries.