Stump Appendicitis: A Rare Late Complication of Appendectomy, a Retrospective Analysis of 9082 Appendectomy Cases

Abstract

Objective: Appendectomy for appendicitis is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. The remnant of the appendix stump after the first appendectomy carries the risk of developing stump appendicitis. Stump appendicitis is a rare late complication of appendectomy; inflammation occurs in the remaining appendicular stump. Delayed diagnosis of this condition can cause serious complications. Stump appendicitis is indeed a recognized clinical picture, but is often overlooked when evaluating patients with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, especially those with a history of appendectomy. It remains a clinical challenge because of its often delayed diagnosis and effective treatment, and possible accompanying morbidity or mortality. Material and Methods: Materials and Methods: We retrospectively screened the patients who were hospitalized in our general surgery clinic and diagnosed with stump appendicitis in the hospital for 12 years. There were 11 patients between January 2011 and 2023 Results: The mean age of all 11 patients described was 55 years (range: 20 to 66). 72% of the patients were male (8/11 males and 3/11 females). 63% of the patients had their first operations open, and 36% of them were laparoscopic. The mean white blood cell count on presentation of all reported 11 cases was 11,996 cells/mm3 (range: 5930 to 18,740), the mean fever was 37.82°C (range: 36.8 to 38.6), and the mean CRP count on presentation of all cases was 36.7 (range: 0.4 to 142.91). The most commonly performed radiographic examination used to diagnose stump appendicitis is the abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan. It was used in 100% (11 cases). Ultrasound was also used in 100% (11 cases). Conclusion: The appendicular base must be accessed prior to undertaking an appendectomy, irrespective of the chosen strategy or technique. It is noteworthy that, apart from open or laparoscopic appendectomy, antibiotic therapy should also be considered as part of the treatment regimen, as documented in the literature series.