Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Murine Appendectomy Model of Chronic Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer by Precise Localization of Caecal Patch
Published on: August 24, 2019
History of appendectomy? An atypical case of recurrent abdominal pain
Kei Wong1, Doruk E Ozgediz1, James Dodington1
1Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America.
Insights
Stump appendicitis, a rare post-operative complication, requires prompt diagnosis to prevent severe morbidity. Recurrent appendicitis can occur even after a previous appendectomy, necessitating physician awareness for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Acute appendicitis is a frequent pediatric emergency visit diagnosis.
- Stump appendicitis, inflammation of residual appendiceal tissue, is a rare post-appendectomy complication.
- Recurrent appendicitis presents as intermittent acute appendicitis-like symptoms resolving within 48 hours.
Observation:
- This case involves a patient presenting with recurrent right-sided abdominal pain.
- The possibility of stump appendicitis and recurrent appendicitis must be considered in diagnosis.
- Previous appendectomy does not always preclude recurrent appendicitis.
Findings:
- Timely diagnosis of stump appendicitis is crucial to avoid complications like abscess, perforation, and sepsis.
- Recurrent appendicitis episodes can occur years apart with asymptomatic intervals.
- Physicians must consider atypical presentations of appendicitis, including stump and recurrent forms.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering stump and recurrent appendicitis in differential diagnoses.
- Emphasizes the need for vigilance in diagnosing appendicitis, even in post-operative patients.
- Underscores the necessity for emergency physicians to be aware of rare appendicitis presentations.
Abstract:
Acute appendicitis is a common condition emergency physician encounter during pediatric emergency visits. With a reported incidence of 1 in 50,000 appendectomies, stump appendicitis, an acute inflammation of the residual appendicular tissue, is a rare post-operative complication. The diagnosis of stump appendicitis is time-critical to prevent associated morbidities of abscess formation, perforation and sepsis. Another atypical presentation of appendicitis includes recurrent appendicitis, which is recognized as one or more previous episodes of similar clinical presentation as acute appendicitis, but symptoms subside within 24 to 48 hours. Intervals between attacks may vary from weeks to years during which the patient may be asymptomatic. Although recurrent appendicitis is rare, emergency physicians should be aware of this possibility and to not assume that previous appendectomy precludes recurrent appendicitis. This case highlights the importance of considering such unusual condition in a patient presenting with recurrent right-sided abdominal pain.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
01:29Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:19Abdominal Regions and Quadrants
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four...