Valentino's syndrome: An unusual presentation of a perforated peptic ulcer

Valentino's syndrome occurs when digestive fluids tend to settle in the right iliac fossa through a perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer, causing peritonitis and clinically mimicking acute appendicitis. Herein, we present the case of a 32-year-old male who was admitted to the emergency department with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis. During laparoscopic appendectomy, inspection of the peritoneal cavity revealed an anterior, perforated duodenal ulcer, which was treated with a patch repair. The patient's recovery was uneventful, and a gastrointestinal endoscopy at his 6-week follow-up showed complete healing of the ulcer. This case highlights that Valentino's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient who has an abdominal examination consistent with acute appendicitis.