Perforated jejunal diverticula: an analysis of reported cases.

Abstract

We recently encountered two cases of perforated jejunal diverticula. We analyzed the data from all available cases of perforated jejunal diverticula, including our two cases. Our purpose was to increase awareness of this rare clinical entity as a cause of abdominal pain. An extensive literature review using Medline from its inception in 1972, and a manual review of all previously published reports was performed. Data collected included age, gender, length of symptoms from history and physical exam, operative findings, type of operation, and outcome (survival). Data analysis was performed using student's t test and multivariate analysis. Survival was not influenced by gender or type of operation. When the reports documented the number of diverticula present in the area of perforation (22 cases) a majority (19/22) had multiple diverticula. Perforated jejunal diverticula are a rare clinical entity in which age, type of operation, and gender does not influence outcome, but a longer duration of symptoms before operation trended towards a worse outcome. This clinical diagnosis should be entertained as part of any evaluation of abdominal pain.