If symptomatic patients are treated in a timely fashion, the prognosis for Meckel's diverticulum is excellent.
The risk of developing a postoperative complication ranges from 2% to 7%.[7]Zani A, Eaton S, Rees CM, et al. Incidentally detected Meckel diverticulum: to resect or not to resect? Ann Surg. 2008 Feb;247(2):276-81.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18216533?tool=bestpractice.com
[24]Cullen JJ, Kelly KA, Moir CR, et al. Surgical management of Meckel's diverticulum: an epidemiologic, population-based study. Ann Surg. 1994 Oct;220(4):564-8; discussion 568-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1234434/pdf/annsurg00056-0170.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7944666?tool=bestpractice.com
[38]Soltero MJ, Bill AH. The natural history of Meckel's diverticulum and its relation to incidental removal: a study of 202 cases of diseased Meckel's diverticulum found in King County, Washington, over a fifteen year period. Am J Surg. 1976 Aug;132(2):168-73.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/952346?tool=bestpractice.com
The most common post-surgical complication is adhesive bowel obstruction.
The lifetime risk for the development of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum (i.e., bleeding, obstruction, inflammation/perforation) in asymptomatic patients with Meckel's diverticulum, where Meckel's diverticulum is found incidentally, seems to be between 4% and 6%.[3]Yahchouchy EK, Marano AF, Etienne JC, et al. Meckel's diverticulum. J Am Coll Surg. 2001 May;192(5):658-62.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11333103?tool=bestpractice.com
[24]Cullen JJ, Kelly KA, Moir CR, et al. Surgical management of Meckel's diverticulum: an epidemiologic, population-based study. Ann Surg. 1994 Oct;220(4):564-8; discussion 568-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1234434/pdf/annsurg00056-0170.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7944666?tool=bestpractice.com
[26]Cullen JJ, Kelly KA. Current management of Meckel's diverticulum. Adv Surg. 1996;29:207-14.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8720004?tool=bestpractice.com
[38]Soltero MJ, Bill AH. The natural history of Meckel's diverticulum and its relation to incidental removal: a study of 202 cases of diseased Meckel's diverticulum found in King County, Washington, over a fifteen year period. Am J Surg. 1976 Aug;132(2):168-73.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/952346?tool=bestpractice.com