ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the diagnosi s and management of inflammatory abdominal mass after appendectomy. Methods Clinical data of 42 patients wit h inflammatory abdominal mass developing after appendectomy from 1972 to 2004 we re retrospectively analyzed. Results There were two kinds of mass: on abdominal wall (26 cases) and that within the abdominal cavity (16 cases). Diagnosis was established on clinical fi ndings and the barium enema examination. Correct preoperative diagnosis was achi eved in 30 cases, with 12 cases (28.6%) misdiagnosed. Laparotomy was performed in 29 cases. Postoperative pathology revealed inflammatory mass. All the 42 case s recovered from the illness. Conclusions Post-appendectomy abdominal mass is infrequent complication. T he clinical course is most often self-limited. However, laparotomy is indicated in patients when conservative therapy fails or there is a fear of malignancy or tuberculosis.