Appendicitis with psoas abscess successfully treated by laparoscopic surgery.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Innovation
• Infectious Disease Management

Background:

• Acute appendicitis is a common condition, but associated retroperitoneal abscesses are infrequent.
• Diagnosing and treating intractable retroperitoneal abscesses of unclear origin poses significant clinical challenges.

Observation:

• A 56-year-old male presented with a persistent right psoas abscess and cutaneous fistula, unresponsive to previous interventions over three years.
• Initial diagnostic imaging failed to identify appendicitis as the source of the retroperitoneal abscess.

Findings:

• Laparoscopic surgery successfully treated the psoas abscess and cutaneous fistula originating from appendicitis.
• The patient experienced no recurrence 17 months post-operation, highlighting the efficacy of the laparoscopic approach.

Implications:

• This case suggests that laparoscopic surgery is a viable and effective treatment option for retroperitoneal abscesses secondary to appendicitis.
• Further investigation into the indications for laparoscopic management of retroperitoneal abscesses is warranted based on this successful outcome.