The segment of the terminal ileum involved with the Meckel's diverticulum is delivered into the wound by Babcock forceps for stabilization. The Meckel's diverticulum may be as far as 20 to 35 cm back from the level of the ileocecal valve. If a mesodiverticulum is present, it should be freed, divided between hemostats, and ligated as a mesoappendix (Figure 1). If the diverticulum has quite a wide neck, it may be excised either by oblique or cross clamping of the base, by wedge or V-shaped excision of the base, or by segmental resection of the involved ileum with end-to-end anastomosis (Figure 2). The base is double clamped with noncrushing Potts-type clamps in a direction transverse or diagonally across to the bowel. The specimen is excised with a scalpel. Traction sutures, A and B, of 00 silk are placed to approximate the serosal surface of the intestinal wall just beyond either end of the incision (Figure 3). When tied, these sutures, A and B, serve to stabilize the intestinal wall during the subsequent closure. Sutures of 00 silk are placed at either end of the incision, and a row of interrupted 0000 silk horizontal mattress sutures is placed beneath the clamp (Figure 4). The clamp is then removed, the sutures tied, and any excess intestinal wall excised. Then an inverting layer of interrupted 0000 silk horizontal mattress sutures is placed (Figures 5 and 6). The patency of the lumen is then tested between the surgeon's thumb and index finger (Figure 7). Alternatively, some surgeons prefer to amputate the diverticulum with a stapling instrument. The diverticular mesentery is divided and its vessels are ligated, as in Figure 1. The diverticulum is splayed transversely to the axis of the bowel using a pair of stay sutures at either side. A linear stapling device (GIA) may be used, according to the surgeon's preference. After removal of the diverticulum, the transverse staple line is then inverted with a series of 000 silk mattress sutures. Again, the patency and integrity of the suture line is tested by the surgeon.