Stump appendicitis, rare complication after appendectomy: report of a case

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology
• Abdominal Surgery

Background:

• Appendectomy is a common surgical procedure.
• Stump appendicitis is a rare complication of incomplete appendectomy, presenting as acute inflammation of the remaining appendix.
• It can mimic acute abdomen, posing diagnostic challenges.

Observation:

• A case of stump appendicitis occurred 12 years after an initial open appendectomy.
• The patient presented with symptoms suggestive of acute abdomen.
• Diagnosis was confirmed, and surgical intervention was performed.

Findings:

• The patient underwent surgery for stump appendicitis.
• Recovery was uneventful, with discharge four days post-operation.
• This case demonstrates a late presentation of stump appendicitis.

Implications:

• Stump appendicitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen, especially in patients with a history of appendectomy.
• Awareness of this rare complication is crucial for accurate and timely diagnosis.
• Further investigation into the long-term implications of incomplete appendectomy may be warranted.