Retrocecal Appendicitis Post-blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Case Report.

Appendicitis, characterized by inflammation and obstruction of the appendiceal lumen, is a common surgical emergency often attributed to various factors. We present the case of an 18-year-old female who developed retrocecal appendicitis following blunt abdominal trauma, a rare occurrence with significant diagnostic challenges. Initial symptoms mimicked upper abdominal trauma, evolving to classic signs of appendicitis within hours. Despite a negative pre-trauma history of abdominal pain, clinical evaluation led to a suspicion of appendicitis. Contrast-enhanced CT scan confirmed the thickening of the cecal appendix, prompting urgent surgical intervention. An open appendectomy revealed a congested retrocecal appendix, supporting the diagnosis. Our case underscores the importance of considering trauma as a potential trigger for appendicitis, especially in the absence of typical pre-trauma symptoms. Diagnostic criteria for post-trauma appendicitis are evolving, and we underscore a comprehensive clinical assessment alongside imaging modalities. While surgical management remains standard, newer approaches like endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy warrant exploration. Further research is essential to refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this uncommon presentation, ensuring timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Early Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy Based on Non-typical Clinical Findings: Report of a Rare Case and a Mini-Review of the Literature.

Acute appendicitis is the most common non-obstetric reason for exploratory laparotomy during pregnancy. This case report involves a primigravida patient who presented to the emergency department of the General Hospital of Trikala at 15 weeks of gestation due to diffuse abdominal pain, primarily in the epigastric region. She also reported watery bowel movements. The ongoing atypical clinical symptoms, along with elevated inflammatory markers, strongly indicated a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. An immediate exploratory laparotomy was performed, during which acute localized inflammation of the appendix was found, leading to an appendectomy. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The patient reported pain relief immediately after the surgery. On the fourth postoperative day, she was discharged without any signs of a threatened second-trimester miscarriage. At 39 gestational weeks, she delivered by elective cesarean section due to breech presentation. This paper discusses the case and highlights the significant challenges in the early diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis during pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of preventing potentially life-threatening complications for both the mother and the fetus.

Factors prolonging the operative time for transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy in pediatric patients: a retrospective single-center study.

PURPOSE: Transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (TULAA) is one of the first endoscopic surgeries performed by trainee pediatric surgeons. While the operative time is generally shorter than for conventional laparoscopic appendectomy, the indications for this procedure are unclear and many unknown factors can prolong the operative time. We conducted this study to identify the factors that may prolong the operative time for TULAA. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center study was conducted between 2015 and 2023. We performed multivariate analysis to identify the factors associated with prolonged operative time by analyzing TULAA procedures performed by trainees. RESULTS: The study included 243 patients. The median operative time was 84 min (interquartile range, 69-114 min). Multivariate analysis revealed that an increased body mass index, elevated C-reactive protein level, a history of conservative treatment for acute appendicitis, and appendix perforation, for the patient; < 6 years' experience since graduation for the operating surgeon; and lack of board certification as a supervisor from the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons for the attending surgeon were independent risk factors for prolonging the operative time. CONCLUSION: Having an attending surgeon with board certification as a supervisor by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons contributes to reducing the operative time required for TULAA.

Internal and external factors affecting the performance score of surgical trainees doing laparoscopic appendectomy: a prospective, observational cohort study in a structured training programme.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a common procedure and introduced early in general surgical training. How internal (i.e. surgeon's experience) or external (i.e. disease severity) may affect procedure performance is not well-studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors that may have an influence on the performance scores for surgical trainees. METHODS: A prospective, observational cohort study of laparoscopic appendectomies performed by surgical trainees (experience < 4 years) operating under supervision. Trainers evaluated trainees' overall performance on a 6-point scale for proficiency. Perioperative data were recorded, including appendicitis severity, operating time and the overall difficulty of the procedure as assessed by the trainer. A "Challenging" procedure was defined as a combination of either/or "perforation" and "difficult". Trainees who had performed > 30 appendectomies were defined as "experienced". The trainees were asked if they had used simulation or web-based tools the week prior to surgery. RESULTS: 142 procedure evaluation forms were included of which 19 (13%) were "perforated", 14 (10%) "difficult" and 24 (17%) "Challenging". Perforated appendicitis was strongly associated with procedure difficulty (OR 21.2, 95% CI 6.0-75.6). Experienced trainees performed "proficient" more often than non-experienced (OR 34.5, 95% CI 6.8-176.5). "Difficult" procedures were inversely associated with proficiency (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.0-0.9). In "Challenging" procedures, identifying the appendix had lowest proficiency (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1-0.9). The procedures assessed as "difficult" had significantly longer operating time with a median (IQR) of 90 (75-100) min compared to 59 (25-120) min for the non-difficult (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both internal and external factors contribute to the performance score. Perforated appendicitis, technical difficult procedures and trainee experience all play a role, but a "difficult" procedure had most overall impact on proficiency evaluation.

Interhospital variation in the non-operative management of uncomplicated appendicitis in adults.

Background: Recent randomized trials have suggested non-operative management to be a safe alternative to appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. Yet, there remains significant variability in treatment approach. This study sought to characterize center-level variation in non-operative management within a national cohort of adults presenting with appendicitis. Methods: The 2016-2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried to identify all adult (≥18 years) hospitalizations for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. Hierarchical, mixed-effects models were developed to ascertain factors linked with non-operative management. Bayesian methodology was applied to predict random effects, which were then used to rank centers by increasing hospital-attributed rate of non-operative management. Institutions with high center-specific rates of non-operative management (>90th percentile) were considered low-operating hospitals (LOH). Results: Of an estimated 447,500 patients, 52,523 (11.7 %) were managed non-operatively. Compared to those undergoing appendectomy, the non-operative cohort was older, more commonly male, and of a higher comorbidity burden. Approximately 30 % in the variability of non-operative management was attributable to hospital effects, with absolute, risk-adjusted rates ranging from 0.5 to 22.5 %. Centers with non-operative management rates ≥90th percentile were considered LOH.Following risk adjustment, among patients undergoing appendectomy, care at LOH was linked with greater odds of postoperative infection, resource utilization, and non-elective readmission. Conclusions: We identified significant interhospital variation in the utilization of non-operative management for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. Further, we found LOH to be associated with inferior outcomes following surgical management. Future work is needed to assess the care pathways that contribute to increased utilization of non-operative strategies, and disseminate best practices across institutions.

Learning curve of laparoscopic appendectomy in a low-resource setting: a cumulative sum analysis of operative length.

BACKGROUND: Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis is a valuable tool for quantifying the learning curve of surgical teams by detecting significant changes in operative length. However, there is limited research evaluating the learning curve of laparoscopic techniques in low-resource settings. The objective of this study is to evaluate the learning curve for laparoscopic appendectomy within a single surgical team in Senegal. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective study conducted from May 1, 2018, to August 31, 2023 of patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy at a tertiary care institution in West Africa. The AAST classification was used to describe the severity of appendicitis. Parameters studied included age, sex, operative length, conversion rate, and postoperative outcomes. To quantify the learning curve, CUSUM analysis of operative length was performed. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients were included. The mean age was 26.7 years (range 11-70 years) with a sex ratio of 1.9. Pre-operative severity according to AAST was Grade I in 75.4% (n = 61), Grade III in 7.4% (n = 6), Grade IV in 6.1% (n = 5), and Grade V in 11.1% (n = 9). Conversion occurred in 5 cases (6.1%). The average operative length was 76.8 min (range 30-180 min) and the average length of hospitalization was 2.7 days (range 1-13 days). Morbidity was observed in 3.7% (n = 3) and there were no deaths. The CUSUM analysis showed that a steady operative length was achieved after 28 procedures, with decreasing operative lengths thereafter. CONCLUSION: Surgeons in our setting overcame the learning curve for laparoscopic appendectomy after performing 28 procedures. Moreover, laparoscopic appendectomy is safe and feasible throughout the learning curve. CUSUM analysis should be applied to other laparoscopic procedures and individualized by surgical teams to improve surgical performance and patient outcomes in low-resource settings.

Controversies and Future Directions in Management of Acute Appendicitis: An Updated Comprehensive Review.

Globally, acute appendicitis has an estimated lifetime risk of 7-8%. However, there are numerous controversies surrounding the management of acute appendicitis, and the best treatment approach depends on patient characteristics. Non-operative management (NOM), which involves the utilization of antibiotics and aggressive intravenous hydration, and surgical appendectomy are valid treatment options for healthy adults. NOM is also ideal for poor surgical candidates. Another important consideration is the timing of surgery, i.e., the role of interval appendectomy (IA) and the possibility of delaying surgery for a few hours on index admission. IA refers to surgical removal of the appendix 8-12 weeks after the initial diagnosis of appendicitis. It is ideal in patients with a contained appendiceal perforation on initial presentation, wherein an initial nonoperative approach is preferred. Furthermore, IA can help distinguish malignant and non-malignant causes of acute appendicitis, while reducing the risk of recurrence. On the contrary, a decision to delay appendectomy for a few hours on index admission should be made based on the patients' baseline health status and severity of appendicitis. Post-operatively, surgical drain placement may help reduce postoperative complications; however, it carries an increased risk of drain occlusion, fistula formation, and paralytic ileus. Furthermore, one of the most critical aspects of appendectomy is the closure of the appendiceal stump, which can be achieved with the help of endoclips, sutures, staples, and endoloops. In this review, we discuss different aspects of management of acute appendicitis, current controversies in management, and the potential role of endoscopic appendectomy as a future treatment option.

Management and Incidence of Enterobius vermicularis Infestation in Appendectomy Specimens: A Cross-Sectional Study of 6359 Appendectomies.

Background: The role of Enterobius vermicularis infestation in the context of appendicitis is largely overlooked, but Enterobius vermicularis is considered an unexpected and significant appendicectomy finding. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of Enterobius vermicularis findings in appendectomies and to evaluate the clinical and histopathologic features of patients with Enterobius vermicularis-associated acute appendicitis and those with appendiceal Enterobius vermicularis infestation. Methods: The medical records of all children who underwent an appendectomy in two large pediatric centers in Croatia between 1 January 2009 and 1 January 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Of 6359 appendectomies, 61 (0.96%) children were diagnosed with Enterobius vermicularis on histopathology and included in further analysis. The groups were compared with regard to demographic characteristics, laboratory values, clinical features and histopathological findings. Results: The incidence of enterobiasis fluctuated slightly in the individual study years, but was constant overall. The median age of all patients was 11 years (IQR 8.5, 13), with females predominating (60.7%). Acute appendicitis was observed in 34% of the appendiceal species. The patients with Enterobius vermicularis infestation, without appendicitis, were younger (9 years (IQR 8, 13) vs. 12 years (IQR 10, 15); p = 0.020), had longer duration of symptoms (36 h (IQR, 12, 48) vs. 24 h (IQR, 12, 36); p = 0.034), lower body temperature (37 °C (IQR 36.8, 37.4) vs. 37.6 °C (IQR, 37, 38.6) p = 0.012), lower Appendicitis Inflammation Response (AIR) score (3 (IQR 2, 5) vs. 7 (IQR 5, 9.5) p < 0.001), lower incidence of rebound tenderness (57.1% vs. 20%; p = 0.003) and less frequent vomiting (12.5% vs. 47.6%; p = 0.004) compared to the patients with Enterobius vermicularis-associated acute appendicitis. Acute inflammatory markers in the laboratory showed significantly higher values in the group of patients with acute appendicitis: C-reactive protein (p = 0.009), White blood cells (p = 0.001) and neutrophils (p < 0.001). Eosinophilia was not found in any of the groups, although eosinophil counts were significantly higher in children who had Enterobius vermicularis infestation than in those with Enterobius vermicularis-related appendicitis (2.5% (IQR 0.9, 4.3) vs. 1.8% (IQR 0.7, 2.1); p = 0.040). Conclusions: Pediatric surgeons should consider Enterobius vermicularis infestation as a differential diagnosis when removing a vermiform appendix. Younger age, longer duration of symptoms, lower body temperature, lower AIR score, lower diameter of the appendix and normal laboratory inflammatory markers could predict Enterobius vermicularis infection in children presenting with right iliac fossa pain and avoid unnecessary appendectomy.

Applying an explainable machine learning model might reduce the number of negative appendectomies in pediatric patients with a high probability of acute appendicitis.

The diagnosis of acute appendicitis and concurrent surgery referral is primarily based on clinical presentation, laboratory and radiological imaging. However, utilizing such an approach results in as much as 10-15% of negative appendectomies. Hence, in the present study, we aimed to develop a machine learning (ML) model designed to reduce the number of negative appendectomies in pediatric patients with a high clinical probability of acute appendicitis. The model was developed and validated on a registry of 551 pediatric patients with suspected acute appendicitis that underwent surgical treatment. Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory features were included for model training and analysis. Three machine learning algorithms were tested (random forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, logistic regression) and model explainability was obtained. Random forest model provided the best predictions achieving mean specificity and sensitivity of 0.17 ± 0.01 and 0.997 ± 0.001 for detection of acute appendicitis, respectively. Furthermore, the model outperformed the appendicitis inflammatory response (AIR) score across most sensitivity-specificity combinations. Finally, the random forest model again provided the best predictions for discrimination between complicated appendicitis, and either uncomplicated acute appendicitis or no appendicitis at all, with a joint mean sensitivity of 0.994 ± 0.002 and specificity of 0.129 ± 0.009. In conclusion, the developed ML model might save as much as 17% of patients with a high clinical probability of acute appendicitis from unnecessary surgery, while missing the needed surgery in only 0.3% of cases. Additionally, it showed better diagnostic accuracy than the AIR score, as well as good accuracy in predicting complicated acute appendicitis over uncomplicated and negative cases bundled together. This may be useful in centers that advocate for the conservative treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis. Nevertheless, external validation is needed to support these findings.

Video consent significantly improves patient knowledge of general surgery procedures.

INTRODUCTION: Informed consent is essential in ensuring patients' understanding of their medical condition, treatment, and potential risks. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of utilizing a video consent compared to standard consent for patient knowledge and satisfaction in selected general surgical procedures. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We included 118 patients undergoing appendectomy, cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia repair, and fundoplication at two hospitals in Omaha, NE. Patients were randomized to either a standard consent or a video consent. Outcomes included a pretest and posttest objective knowledge assessment of their procedure, as well as a satisfaction survey which was completed immediately after consent and following discharge. Given the pre-post design, a linear mixed-effect model was estimated for both outcomes. A two-way interaction effect was of primary interest to assess whether pre-to-post change in the outcome differed between patients randomized to standard or video consent. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were mostly similar between groups except for patient sex, p = 0.041. Both groups showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge from pretest to posttest (standard group: 0.25, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.51, p = 0.048; video group: 0.68, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.00, p < 0.001), with the video group showing significantly greater change (interaction p = 0.043) indicating that incorporating a video into the consent process resulted in a better improvement in patient's knowledge of the proposed procedure. Further, both groups showed a decrease in satisfaction post-discharge, but no statistically significant difference in the magnitude of decrease between the groups (interaction p = 0.309). CONCLUSION: Video consent lead to a significant improvement in a patient's knowledge of the proposed treatment. Although the patient satisfaction survey didn't show a significant difference, it did show a trend. We propose incorporating videos into the consent process for routine general surgical procedures.

Unexpected Culprit: Unveiling a Unique Case of Appendicitis Triggered by a Foreign Object.

Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency marked by inflammation of the appendix, often due to blockage of the appendix lumen by fecoliths, lymphoid hyperplasia, or neoplasms. While various causes are known, appendicitis triggered by a foreign body (FB) is exceptionally rare. This case report highlights a rare presentation of appendicitis in a 32-year-old male with no significant medical history, who presented with acute lower right abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. Initial evaluation suggested appendicitis, further supported by laboratory findings and diagnostic imaging revealing a retrocecal appendix with surrounding inflammation. Remarkably, an FB, a fish bone, was discovered lodged within the perforated appendix, elucidating the unusual etiology. Emergency laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis and facilitated prompt surgical intervention. This case underscores the importance of thorough evaluation and consideration of uncommon causes in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain, illustrating the critical role of detailed history-taking and clinical acumen in guiding management decisions and ensuring favorable patient outcomes.

An International Consensus Survey among Pediatric Surgeons on the Role of Appendectomy in Malrotation.

Introduction: Ladd's procedure, originally described in 1936 for the treatment of malrotation, does not traditionally include appendectomy as a standard step. We conducted a multinational survey to investigate the current consensus on the role of appendectomy in Ladd's procedure. Methodology: An anonymous online survey was distributed to pediatric surgeons worldwide. The survey collected demographic data and explored surgical preferences related to the management of malrotation. Open-ended questions were used to assess the opinions regarding the necessity of appendectomy, decision-making factors, and complications associated with appendectomy during Ladd's procedure. Results: A total of 343 responses were received from 46 countries. Of the respondents, 319 (93%) were consultants and 24 (7%) were residents/trainees. When asked about the choice between open and laparoscopic Ladd's procedure, 292 (85%) preferred open surgery. Overall, 184 (53%) respondents favored appendectomy in both open and laparoscopic Ladd's procedure. Furthermore, 172 (50%) surgeons advocated for appendectomy in all malrotation cases, citing concerns about potential future appendicitis. While differences existed between all comparisons, none of them reached statistical significance. The factors influencing the decision to preserve the appendix included the risk of postoperative complications and the potential future use of the appendix as a surgical conduit. The surgical complications following appendectomy included surgical site infections in 14 (33%) patients, adhesive obstruction in 13 (31%) patients, intrabdominal abscesses in 10 (24%) patients, and fecal fistulas in 5 (12%) patients. Conclusion: The majority of surgeons aim to perform appendectomy in all malrotation cases, considering the potential risks and benefits of this approach. These findings offer valuable insights for clinical practice and may inform future guidelines and decision-making algorithms.

Stumped by a Case of Appendicitis After Appendectomy.

Background: Stump appendicitis-a rare, delayed complication of appendectomy-is most commonly managed with surgical exploration and stump appendectomy. Conservative management in the pediatric population is poorly characterized in the literature. Case Report: We report a case of a 10-year-old male who was diagnosed with stump appendicitis and initially treated nonoperatively. He received intravenous antibiotics and supportive therapy while in the hospital, was discharged on a course of oral antibiotics, and remained asymptomatic for the following 9 weeks until he underwent an elective interval stump appendectomy. We also review the literature on this uncommon condition and treatment plan. Conclusion: Considering stump appendicitis in the differential of children with history of appendectomy is imperative. Nonoperative management of stump appendicitis may be successful and beneficial in select pediatric cases compared to the standard surgical management.

Evaluation of geographic variations in appendicectomy outcomes within Western Australia assessing the impact of surgical wait times and rate of negative appendicectomies in both urban and rural locations statewide.

PURPOSE: Surgery wait times after diagnosis of appendicitis are an important factor influencing the success of a patient's treatment. The proposed study will be a quantitative multicenter retrospective cohort design with the primary aim of assessing the difference between appendicectomy wait times between rural and urban hospitals in Western Australia and the effect of this on operative outcomes. Selected outcome measures will be examined by time from initial presentation at an emergency department to the patient being diagnosed and then time of diagnosis to surgery being performed. The secondary aim is to compare rates of negative appendicectomies between hospitals. METHODS: Appendicectomy patients will be identified from operating room register by medical student data collectors; then, each respective hospital's emergency room data collection will subsequently be accessed to complete case report forms based on demographics and clinical findings, pre-operative investigations, and management and follow-up. Case report forms with > 95% completeness will be accepted for pooled analysis. The expected duration of retrospective data collection will be 8 months. This study RGS6483 has received HREC approval by the Royal Perth Hospital HREC Ethics Committee, with a waiver of consent obtained and the HREC was notified of amendments to the protocol made on April 21, 2024. Dissemination of results. Data will be collected and stored online through a secure server running the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) web application. No patient-identifiable data will be entered into the system. Results will subsequently be shared via scientific journal publication and presentation at relevant meetings.

Antibiotic treatment after appendectomy for acute complicated appendicitis to prevent intrabdominal abscess and wound infections.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the most appropriate duration of postoperative antibiotic treatment to minimize the incidence of intraabdominal abscesses and wound infections in patients with complicated appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, which included 396 adult patients who underwent appendectomy for complicated appendicitis between January 2010 and December 2020 at the University Hospital Erlangen, patients were classified into two groups based on the duration of their postoperative antibiotic intake: ≤ 3 postoperative days (group 1) vs. ≥ 4 postoperative days (group 2). The incidence of postoperative intraabdominal abscesses and wound infections were compared between the groups. Additionally, multivariate risk factor analysis for the occurrence of intraabdominal abscesses and wound infections was performed. RESULTS: The two groups contained 226 and 170 patients, respectively. The incidence of postoperative intraabdominal abscesses (2% vs. 3%, p = 0.507) and wound infections (3% vs. 6%, p = 0.080) did not differ significantly between the groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that an additional cecum resection (OR 5.5 (95% CI 1.4-21.5), p = 0.014) was an independent risk factor for intraabdominal abscesses. A higher BMI (OR 5.9 (95% CI 1.2-29.2), p = 0.030) and conversion to an open procedure (OR 5.2 (95% CI 1.4-20.0), p = 0.016) were identified as independent risk factors for wound infections. CONCLUSION: The duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy does not appear to influence the incidence of postoperative intraabdominal abscesses and wound infections. Therefore, short-term postoperative antibiotic treatment should be preferred.

Sex Differences in Appendicitis: A Systematic Review.

Appendicitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions a person can develop. Throughout the years of assessing the different focuses of appendicitis, such as origin, symptoms, labs, diagnosis, treatment, and complications, there have been mere mentions of sex differences. One of the most known sex differences in appendicitis is the fact that males are significantly more likely to develop appendicitis compared to females. Another postulated difference is that males may be more likely to develop a perforated appendix. These differences significantly affect the various aspects of diagnosing and treating appendicitis and may even influence the outcome of appendicitis. Sex difference analysis of conditions has been widely researched over the last two decades, and sex can influence and impact conditions from initial presentation to the outcome of treatment. This paper evaluates the sex differences in appendicitis concerning incidence, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis technique, treatment, and outcomes across ages. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review reviewed PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest databases for articles pertaining to sex differences in appendicitis. The original article count was 21,121, which was narrowed down to 28 publications. It was found that, as previously described, males had a significantly higher rate of appendicitis, as well as were at significant risk of perforated appendicitis. No official risk factors were found to differ between the sexes, but males were more likely to complain of symptoms like right lower quadrant cramps/tenderness/pain and loss of appetite. Scores such as the pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) and Ohmann have been used to diagnose appendicitis, but the PAS was significantly more accurate for females, and the Ohmann resulted in significantly fewer negative appendectomies in females as well. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) are still the gold standards for diagnosis; however, while time to CT was significantly delayed in females, they were more likely to undergo extensive imaging, possibly to rule out other conditions. Males were more likely to undergo open appendectomies compared to females, who more frequently underwent laparoscopic appendectomy, yet females were more likely to experience complications. Further research should evaluate the influences that can predict postoperative outcomes following appendectomies between sexes and how to prevent/reduce their occurrence.

Laparoscopic left paraduodenal hernia repair: A case report.

Paraduodenal hernias (PDH) pose a diagnostic challenge due to their varied presentations and rarity. We report a rare case report illustrating the clinical course, diagnostic approach, and management of PDH in a 19-year-old female patient with a history of neonatal laparotomy for intestinal atresia. The patient initially presented with chronic, diffuse abdominal pain, which had progressively worsened over 2 years. Physical examination revealed no palpable mass, with normal bowel sounds and vital signs. Imaging studies, including computed tomography of the abdomen, demonstrated protrusion of small bowel loops in the left upper abdominal quadrant consistent with a left paraduodenal hernia. Following laparoscopic exploration, a large defect was identified, and successful repair was performed, resulting in resolution of symptoms and a smooth postoperative recovery. Our case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for PDH in patients with chronic abdominal pain, particularly those with a history of abdominal surgeries. Prompt diagnosis and timely surgical intervention, preferably laparoscopic, can lead to favorable outcomes and improved quality of life for affected individuals.

Comparison of Clinical, Pathological, and Procedural Characteristics of Adult and Pediatric Acute Appendicitis before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical, pathological, and surgical characteristics of acute appendicitis (AA) at the University Hospital Centre (UHC) Zagreb. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed demographic, clinical, and surgical data from consecutive AA patients. Data were collected from an electronic database for two periods: 1 January to 31 December 2019 (pre-COVID-19), and 11 March 2020, to 11 March 2021 (COVID-19 pandemic). RESULTS: During the two study periods, 855 appendectomies were performed, 427 in the pre-pandemic, and 428 during the pandemic. Demographic data were comparable between groups. There was statistically no significant difference in the type of appendectomy (p = 0.33) and the median hospital length of stay (3; (2-5) days, p = 0.08). There was an increase in the conversion rate during the pandemic period (4.2% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.03). The negative appendectomy rate and the incidence of perforated AA did not differ significantly (p = 0.34 for both). CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe a significant increase in the rate of AA complications during the COVID-19 pandemic at the UHC Zagreb. This may be attributed to two factors: (1) AA was diagnosed and treated as an emergency, which remained available during the pandemic, and (2) diagnostic and therapeutic protocols remained unaltered. We recommend a laparoscopic approach even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Incidental diagnosis of primary appendiceal signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma after appendectomy for acute appendicitis: a case report.

Introduction: Appendiceal signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma (ASCA) is rare and more aggressive in malignant appendiceal neoplasms. The presentation can be appendicitis, which is lack of specific symptom and makes early diagnosis difficult. There is no effective surveillance. Prognosis largely relies on timely detection. We report a case of ASCA incidentally diagnosed through pathological examination after appendectomy for appendicitis. Case presentation: The patient presented to our department with a progressive right lower quadrant abdominal pain lasting for 3 days. Physical examination revealed rigidity, tenderness, and rebound tenderness on the right lower quadrant. A computed tomography scan showed a thickened, inflamed appendix with peri-appendiceal fat stranding without noticeable appendiceal mass at initial evaluation. The diagnosis was considered acute appendicitis, and an appendectomy was performed. The appendix was inflamed, gangrenous and perforated, and no mass was found during the surgery. Surgical specimen was sent for physiological examination, which incidentally detected signet-ring cell in H&E staining. And immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of ASCA with small amount of neuroendocrine neoplasms. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of ASCA can incidentally be made on pathological specimen following appendectomy for appendicitis. A routine pathological examination should be emphasized, and appendectomy may not be the endpoint of the treatment. Hemicolectomy and adjuvant therapy might ensue upon the diagnosis of appendiceal neoplasm. The poor prognosis of ASCA makes a timely diagnosis significant. Basic research is promising to unravel the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, finding typical tumor markers for screening and novel effective therapies for advanced cases.