Scrotal abscess following appendectomy

Postoperative infectious complications in children following perforated appendicitis present in diverse ways. We present two unusual complications of appendectomy for perforated appendicitis: an acute scrotum after open and laparoscopic appendectomy. A retrospective review of two cases of scrotal abscess following appendectomy at our hospital as well as a MEDLINE search was performed to review the clinical presentation, etiology, type of treatment, and outcome of these patients. Although scrotal inflammation occurring postoperatively in a patient with perforated appendicitis may be due to an incarcerated hernia, it is much more likely to be due to a scrotal abscess. Patients without a patent processus vaginalis or inguinal hernia at initial presentation of peritonitis must be carefully followed in the postoperative period and explored early if testicular or scrotal pain becomes manifest.