E-NOTES transumbilical laparoscopic appendectomy

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Surgical Case Report

Background:

• Chronic appendicitis presents with insidious abdominal pain, often localized to the right iliac fossa.
• Diagnosis typically involves clinical examination and imaging like abdominal ultrasound.
• Surgical intervention is recommended for symptomatic chronic appendicitis.

Observation:

• A 17-year-old patient presented with a 4-month history of abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of appetite.
• Clinical and ultrasound findings led to a diagnosis of chronic appendicitis.
• Laparoscopic transumbilical single-incision appendectomy was performed under general anesthesia.

Findings:

• Three 5 mm trocars were inserted via a 10 mm umbilical incision.
• A swollen appendix was identified and surgically resected using LigaSure forceps and Roeder knots.
• The intervention lasted 60 minutes with a favorable postoperative course.

Implications:

• Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy offers a minimally invasive approach for chronic appendicitis.
• This technique may lead to improved cosmetic outcomes with scars concealed within the umbilicus.
• Successful symptom resolution suggests the efficacy of this approach in managing chronic appendicitis.