Minimally invasive management of patent vitello-intestinal duct in an adult

Abstract

The patent vitello-intestinal duct (PVID) is a persistent embryological remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct, which normally connects the yolk sac to the primitive midgut, and it is obliterated between the 8 ^th and 9 ^th weeks of gestation. Failure of this involution results in a spectrum of anomalies, including Meckel’s diverticulum, umbilical sinus, fistula, and cyst. Although such remnants are present in approximately 2% of the population, symptomatic presentation in adulthood is exceedingly rare. We report the case of a 30-year-old male who presented with foul-smelling umbilical discharge from a 0.3 cm × 0.3 cm opening for 24 months. He was successfully treated with laparoscopic resection of the PVID using an endoscopic linear stapler. Adult presentation of PVID with bilio-feculent discharge is exceptionally uncommon and not reported in the literature.