Late intra-abdominal abscess after laparoscopic appendectomy in a child

Area of Science:

• General Surgery
• Surgical Complications

Background:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy is a common emergency surgery.
• While generally safe, rare post-operative complications can occur.
• Late complications are infrequently reported.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of late intra-abdominal abscess formation after laparoscopic appendectomy.
• To highlight a potential complication related to suture material used during appendectomy.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a patient presenting with symptoms of intra-abdominal abscess.
• Review of surgical history, specifically the index laparoscopic appendectomy.
• Laparoscopic drainage of the abscess and retrieval of the suspected foreign material (suture).

Main Results:

• An intra-abdominal abscess was diagnosed 2 years post-laparoscopic appendectomy.
• A silk suture, likely used for appendiceal stump ligation, was identified as the probable cause.
• The patient successfully recovered following laparoscopic abscess drainage and suture removal.

Conclusions:

• Silk sutures used in laparoscopic appendectomy can be a nidus for late intra-abdominal abscess formation.
• Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing such rare complications.
• This case underscores the importance of considering suture material in delayed post-operative infections.