[Posttraumatic appendicitis]

Posttraumatic appendicitis is an appendicitis that develops as a consequence of abdominal trauma. Trauma is a relatively rare cause of appendicitis which is nowadays rarely mentioned in surgical textbooks.

We describe the case of a 12-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department six days after abdominal trauma caused by a fall from an electrical bicycle, complaining of fever and abdominal pain. Her symptoms were caused by a perforated appendicitis. Her recovery after appendectomy was complicated by abscess formation and subsequent drainage, and the need for parenteral nutrition CONCLUSION: Abdominal pain and fever several days after an abdominal trauma may be a sign of posttraumatic appendicitis. The clinical signs and diagnostic work-up do not differ significantly from that of appendicitis with a different aetiology. Trauma is not a well-known cause of appendicitis, and this can cause delay in diagnosis and treatment.