Interval laparoscopic appendectomy after laparotomy drainage for acute appendicitis with abscess: A case report

Immediate appendectomy for acute appendicitis with abscess has a high frequency of ileocecal resection and postoperative complications compared with interval appendectomy after conservative treatment. The optimal approach to acute appendicitis with abscess remains controversial.

A 69-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for abdominal pain. A computed tomography scan revealed an enlarged abscess around the cecum. The diagnosis was perforated appendicitis with abscess, and conservative treatment was performed. Percutaneous drainage was difficult because the abscess was near the intestinal tract. Because of the persistence of symptoms on the fourth day of hospitalization, laparotomy drainage was performed, and the patient's condition improved afterwards. Colonoscopy was performed on an outpatient follow-up to rule out malignant tumors of the colon. Interval laparoscopic appendectomy was performed 3 months after discharge to prevent appendicitis. The postoperative course was uneventful.

For this case of acute appendicitis with abscess, conservative treatment such as antibiotic therapy and laparotomy drainage was performed. Laparotomy drainage enabled us to approach the abscess directly and minimized the risk of its spread into the abdominal cavity compared to the laparoscopic approach. Interval laparoscopic appendectomy was more effective and easier for this case of appendectomy, wherein adhesions to the abdominal wall were expected compared to laparotomy.

Conservative treatment approaches, such as drainage and antibiotic therapy, can be first-line for appendicitis with abscesses. Interval laparoscopic appendectomy can be useful to resect the appendix and observe the abdominal cavity.