Interval laparoscopic ileocecectomy in a child with cecal diverticulitis

Cecal diverticulitis is a rare disease process, particularly in children. Patients predictably present with right lower quadrant abdominal pain in a manner similar to appendicitis. Imaging may reveal a phlegmon, perforation, bowel wall thickening, or nonspecific inflammatory changes. These imaging findings may not always indicate a clear diagnosis, especially if the appendix cannot be well visualized. Urgent operation may be ill advisable in this situation as the surgeon may encounter a hostile operative field with dense inflammatory changes resulting in an increased risk of ileostomy creation. We present a case of cecal diverticulitis managed safely with a delayed surgical approach. We feel a delayed surgical approach may provide an alternative option for patients with an uncertain diagnosis or surgeons who wish to avoid a potentially hazardous dissection. A delayed approach may also help to facilitate a minimally invasive approach.