ACUTE APENDICITIS IN LIVER TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS.

Area of Science:

• Transplantation Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Immunology

Background:

• Appendicitis is a frequent surgical emergency.
• Its incidence in organ transplant recipients is rare, often due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
• Liver transplant recipients represent a specific population where appendicitis occurrence needs careful consideration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and report the incidence of acute appendicitis in a cohort of liver transplant recipients.
• To analyze the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of appendicitis in this unique patient group.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis was conducted over a 12-year period.
• The study included a cohort of 925 liver transplant recipients.
• Five cases of acute appendicitis were identified and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Appendicitis occurred between 3 and 46 months post-transplantation in patients aged 15-58 years.
• Clinical presentations were similar to non-transplanted individuals, with pain being universal.
• Complications such as suppuration and perforation were noted in 80% of cases, alongside increased hospital stays.

Conclusions:

• Acute appendicitis is an infrequent but significant event following liver transplantation.
• Delayed diagnosis and treatment contribute to a higher rate of complications.
• Management requires prompt surgical intervention, and outcomes are impacted by the severity of appendicitis and associated delays.