Rare sigmoid abdominal wall fistula after appendectomy: a case report

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Complications
• Abdominal Surgery

Background:

• Appendectomy is a common surgical procedure for acute appendicitis.
• Extraintestinal fistulas are infrequent complications post-appendectomy.
• This study presents a unique case of sigmoid abdominal wall fistula.

Observation:

• A 45-year-old male presented with a year of purulent discharge from an appendectomy incision site.
• Clinical evaluation suggested an abdominal sinus tract.
• Exploratory laparotomy confirmed a sigmoid abdominal wall fistula.

Findings:

• The sigmoid abdominal wall fistula was definitively diagnosed during surgery.
• Complete fistula resection led to a successful cure.
• This represents the first reported instance of this specific fistula type post-appendectomy.

Implications:

• This case highlights a rare but treatable complication of appendectomy.
• Accurate diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing such fistulas.
• Reporting this atypical case provides valuable clinical reference for future management of enterocutaneous fistulas.