Abstract

MARTINEZ-GARZA, Pablo Andrade et al. Appendicitis of the appendicular stump: Case report and review of the literature. Cir. gen [online]. 2011, vol.33, n.1, pp.58-62. ISSN 1405-0099.

Objective: To describe a case of appendiceal stump appendicitis and to perform a literature review. Setting: Hospital Médica Sur (Third level health care private hospital). Design: Case report. Description of the case: Man of 28 years of age, with an antecedent of complicated appendicitis managed surgically 15 years ago. The patient had coursed for the last 48 h with colic-type abdominal pain, not well localized, oriented towards the lower half of the abdomen, he was without fever the first 24 h, he presented no nausea nor vomiting; 12 h later the pain intensified until reaching 10 of 10, in the lower hemiabdomen, with fever of 38.5°C and nausea but no vomiting. Peritoneal irritation data were found, leukocytosis with neutrophilia, imaging studies were suggestive of acute appendicitis; hence, it was decided to perform an exploratory laparotomy. During this, an appendicular remnant of approximately 1 cm was evidenced at the base of the cecum. Right hemicolectomy was performed with ileo-transverse latero-lateral anastomosis. The histopathological study confirmed appendicitis of the stump. Conclusion: Appendicitis of the appendiceal stump is a rare complication of appendicectomy, which occurs when the appendicular resection is not performed adequately. This is due to a wrong identification of the appendicular base, for diverse reasons, which leads to leave an appendiceal stump of more than 5 mm.

Keywords : Appendiceal stump; stump appendicitis.