Laparoscopic cecectomy for diseases of the appendix and cecum

Introduction: The cecum is the first part of the large bowel. Cecectomy is a sufficient treatment for some patients, avoiding overtreatment by ileocolic resection. Purpose:The goal of this study was to review a surgeon's experience with laparoscopic cecectomy and provide a technical video demonstration of this uncommon operation. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all consecutive patients treated with laparoscopic cecectomy over a 16-year period. All operations were performed using a 3-trocar technique. The cecum was transected with 1 to 2 firings of a 60 millimeters linear stapler, preserving the ileocecal valve and ascending colon. Results: 19 patients were identified including 12 females (63.2%). Median age was 42 years (range 16-84). Indication for surgery included appendiceal pathology in 12 patients (63.2%) and cecal abnormality in 7 (38.9%). There was no conversion to open surgery. Median intraoperative blood loss was 25 ml (range 0-150 ml) and no patient received a blood transfusion. No intraoperative or postoperative complication was noted. The median length stay was 1 day (range 0-6). Readmission rate was 0%. Final appendiceal histopathology revealed acute/chronic appendicitis in 5 patients, mucinous cystadenoma in 4 patients. Cecal histopathology revealed adenoma in 4 patients. Median follow-up was 16 months (range 4-53). Conclusions: Laparoscopic cecectomy is a sufficient treatment for some patients with benign conditions of the appendix and cecum. It carries minimal morbidity. It should be considered as an alternative to segmental bowel resection in a select group of patients. (AU)

A rare cecal subepithelial tumor in a Crohn´s Disease patient

Appendiceal tumors comprise a variety of histologic types, including appendiceal mucinous neoplasms, which can be grouped as premalignant lesions, tumors of uncertain malignant potential, and malignant lesions. The appendiceal mucinous neoplasms are characterized by mucinous epithelial proliferation with extracellular mucin and pushing tumor margins, commonly an incidental finding during operative exploration. We report the case of a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm presenting as a subepithelial lesion in Crohn´s Disease patient. The diagnosis was not straightforward, and only surgical resection allowed an accurate diagnosis. Although Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a risk factor for the development of colorectal neoplasms, the absolute risk for appendiceal tumors is uncertain. The frequency of progression to malignancy remains to be determined.

The clinicopathological characteristics of primary appendiceal tumor and its surgical treatment / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical features,diagnosis and treatment of appendix tumor.Methods The clinical data of 58 cases with primary appendiceal tumor were analyzed retrospectively.Results In the 58 cases clinical presentation mimicked acute appendicitis in 22 cases,chronic appendicitis in 15 cases,appendiceal abscess in 12 cases,intra-abdominal mass in 7 cases,and gastrointestinal perforation in 2 cases.Primary appendiceal tumor was diagnosed intraoperatively by intraoperative frozen histopathological examination in 10 cases,and the diagnosis was made by postoperative histopathological examination in the other 48 cases.There was appendiceal carcinoid in 40 cases,adenocarcinoma in 6 cases,mucocele in 2 cases,mucous adenocystoadenoma in 5 cases,pseudomyxoma peritonei in 2 cases,malignant neurilemmoma in 1 case,and malignant lymphoma in 2 cases.Surgical procedures included appendectomy in 6 cases,ileocecal resection in 8 cases,and right hemicolectomy in 44 cases (including right hemicolectomy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy with 5-FU 1 000 mg for pseudomyxoma peritonei in 2 cases).Radical resection was achieved in 55 cases and palliative resection in 3 cases.The 2 cases with pseudomyxoma peritonei died of tumor recurrence at 36 months and 54 months after operation respectively.All the 5 cases of adenocystoadenoma and 2 cases of appendix cyst survived without an evidence of recurrence.7 of 49 cases of malignant appendiceal tumor suffered recurrence postoperatively,the recurrence rate was 14％,which included liver metastasis in 4 cases and intraperitoneal recurrence in 3 cases.The 1,3,5-year survival rates of malignant appendiceal tumors were 100％ (49/49),92％ (35/49) and 80％ (39/49),respectively,which were 100％,98％ and 92％ for carcinoid,and 100％,67％ and 33％ for adenocarcinoma,respectively.Conclusions The preoperative diagnosis of primary appendiceal tumor is very difficult,the intraoperative frozen histopathological examination is helpful for diagnosis,the prognosis of appendiceal carcinoid is fair after resection.

Clinical Review of Appendiceal Tumors (Retrospective Study of 3,744 Appendectomies or Right Hemicolectomies)

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to describe the clinicopathologic characteristics and evaluate the appropriate management of appendiceal tumors. METHODS: During 5 years between Sep. 2000 and Sep. 2005, 28 appendiceal tumors were identified in a retrospective review of 3,744 cases of appendectomy or right hemicolectomy pathology. RESULTS: Carcinoids were found incidentally as appendicitis. Mucinous cystadenomas were common in women older than 50 aged; half of the cases presented with appendicitis and the other half presented with non-specific abdominal symptoms such as palpable mass, intestinal obstruction and intussusception. Carcinomas were common in the older patients (mean age: 62.8 years) and this presented as periappendiceal abscess. Right hemicolectomy was undertaken when there was evidence of tumor spread beyond the resection margin, and carcinoma and tumors were located in the appendiceal base. Recurrence and metastasis were identified only in the carcinoma cases. CONCLUSION: Most appendiceal tumors presented with appendicitis and periappendiceal abscess. One stage curative resection was possible in more than 76% of the patients, and the prepoperative diagnosis rate was less than 35%. The preoperative diagnosis did not have much impact on the clinical course, and the postoperative pathology was important in determining the additional treatment. Close follow-up is needed for the early detection of recurrence, and all the carcinomas that were advanced as serosal involvement, peritoneal seeding and liver metastasis.