Lateral thermal damage of mesoappendix and appendiceal base during laparoscopic appendectomy in children: comparison of the harmonic scalpel (Ultracision), bipolar coagulation (LigaSure), and thermal fusion technology (MiSeal).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare lateral thermal damage of mesoappendix and appendiceal base using three different instruments for sealing and cutting of mesoappendix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 99 patients (54 males and 45 females) who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy because of suspected appendicitis between December 2013 and May 2015 were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided in three groups based on instrument used for sealing of mesoappendix: group 1 (Ultracision; n = 36), group 2 (LigaSure; n = 32), and group 3 (MiSeal; n = 31). Lateral thermal damage, intraoperative and postoperative complications, duration of surgery, hospital stay, and economic value were compared within groups. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 14 y (range 3-17). A histopathologic analysis revealed a positive diagnosis of appendicitis in 84 patients (85%). The median lateral thermal damage on appendiceal base using Ultracision, LigaSure, and MiSeal was 0.10 mm, 0.16 mm, and 0.10 mm respectively, and on mesoappendix, 0.08 mm, 0.13 mm, and 0.08 mm, respectively. Significantly higher thermal damage was found on mesoappendix (P = 0.015) and appendiceal base (P = 0.012) in patients treated with LigaSure than in patients from other groups. There were no statistical differences among the groups regarding intraoperative and postoperative complications (P = 0.098). No significant difference in thermal damage between appendicitis and nonappendicitis group was found (P = 0.266). CONCLUSIONS: Using of Ultracision, LigaSure, and MiSeal for sealing of mesoappendix in laparoscopic appendectomy in children is safe and useful. LigaSure produces significantly greater lateral thermal damage compared with other instruments.

Laparoscopic appendectomy to remove a metallic foreign body in a wild Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) undergoing rehabilitation.

A laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in a wild orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) undergoing rehabilitation, for a metal nail found on radiographs, using 3-mm instrumentation. Post-operative healing was rapid and uneventful, with return to the forest within 10 days. This is the first report of minimally invasive surgery in a wild orangutan.

Perforated sub-hepatic appendix; rare presentation of a common disease.

An elderly gentleman presented to our emergency with a 10-day history of right upper quadrant pain and nausea with associated tenderness on examination. His white cell counts were raised with predominant neutrophils with ultrasound evidence of a heterogeneous sub-hepatic collection, not associated with fever, diarrhoea or vomiting. He had a similar episode 3 weeks ago, which resolved with antibiotics. Initially thought to be a perforated acute appendicitis or a liver abscess a CT scan was done to further substantiate our finding. This to the contrary revealed a perforated sub hepatic appendix. Patient was treated conservatively with IV fluids and antibiotics and the sub hepatic collection was aspirated under ultrasound guidance. He responded well to treatment and made an uneventful recovery.

A rare case of perforation of the subhepatic appendix by a toothpick in a patient with intestinal malrotation: laparoscopic approach.

Foreign body ingestion is not an uncommon problem in clinical practice. While most ingested foreign bodies pass uneventfully through the gastrointestinal tract, sharp foreign bodies such as toothpicks should cause intestinal perforation. We reported the case of a perforation of the appendix caused by a toothpick, which also pierced the liver without hepatic damages, in a male with an intestinal malrotation and subhepatic appendix. The patient was admitted to our hospital for abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed the anomalous position of the first portion of the large intestine with inflamed appendix. A laparoscopic appendicectomy and the exploration of the abdominal cavity was performed using minimally invasive technique.

Intra-abdominal collections following laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy: an experience of 516 consecutive cases at a district general hospital.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of intra-abdominal collections (IACs) in all patients undergoing laparoscopic (LA) and open appendicectomy (OA) from April 2009 to October 2011 in a district general hospital with expertise in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing appendicectomy in the specified time period was carried out. IACs were identified from various in-hospital data resources. Severity of appendicitis was assessed from histology reports. RESULTS: 516 patients were identified, of whom 242 (47 %) underwent OA and 274 (53 %) LA. Twenty-six (5 %) patients were found to have IACs postoperatively. Fifteen (5.5 %) IACs were identified in the laparoscopic group and 11 (4.5 %) in the open group. There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of developing IACs in open versus laparoscopic groups [odds ratio (OR) 1.22, confidence interval (CI) 0.55-2.70, P = 0.63]. Patients were twelve times more likely to develop IACs with an appendix identified as being necrotic or perforated on histology (OR 12.24, CI 5.29-28.32, P < 0.0001). There was a trend towards shorter total hospital stay in the LA (3.58 days, CI 3.0-4.1 days) compared with OA (4.31 days, CI 3.7-4.9 days, P = 0.082) group, although this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Increased rates of IAC following LA have been identified in some studies. Our series shows that, in a centre with adequate MIS experience, the IAC rate following LA is comparable to that of the open approach and should not deter surgeons with adequate support and resources.

The Houdini effect--an unusual case of blunt abdominal trauma resulting in perforative appendicitis.

We present a unique case of perforative appendicitis that occurred in an adult following blunt abdominal trauma. This case represents the first such reported case from Ireland. It also represents a modern practical example of Laplace's theory of the effect of increased pressure on colonic wall tension leading to localized perforation, and serves to highlight not only the importance in preoperative imaging for blunt abdominal trauma, but also the importance of considering appendiceal perforation.

[Intrauterine contraceptive device in an appendix--a case report]. / Wkladka wewnatrzmaciczna w wyrostku robaczkowym--opis przypadku.

The application of an intrauterine contraceptive device can perforate the uterus and migrate to adjacent organs such as the bladder or small bowel. The main symptoms are painful insertion of the intrauterine contraceptive device and missing IUD strings. The diagnosis of perforation and transuterine migration of the IUD is made on the basis of an ultrasound examination and an abdominal X-ray. The proper management is such case is immediate removal of the IUD. The aim of this paper was to present a case of a 34-year-old woman with a copper IUD found during a caesarean section.

[A woman with abdominal pain after insertion of an intra-uterine device]. / Een vrouw met buikpijn na insertie van een spiraaltje.

A clinical picture of a 35-year-old woman presented at the gynaecology department with a positive pregnancy test even though she had an intra-uterine device (IUD) inserted three months previously. During laparoscopy the Ballerina IUD turns out to be located in the appendix.

[Appendix protrusion from perforation of uterus--the rare complication during abortion]. / Protrúzia apendixu cez perforacný otvor v cervixe maternice ako zriedkavá komplikácia pri umelom prerusení gravidity.

AIM: Point to an extremly rare complication of a curettage during abortion and follow up surgical treatment of this complicated state. CASE: In the case of 32 years old woman, multipara, was perforated cervix uteri during the abortion curettage and fat tissue of mesentery was aspirated into canulla. Apendix vermiformis was aspirated into cannula with its protrusion through the neck of the womb during repeated revision. Surgeon made appendectomy lege artis after abdomen revision and looking after haemoperitoneum. Because of serious devastation of right fallopian tube, salpingektomy was performed. Perforation of cervix in the lenght of three cm was sutured. Extensive incomplete rupture continuing from perforation gap was sutured from ligamentum sacrouterinum I.dx to fundus uteri. Intact foetus of 5,5 week of gestation was leaved in toto because of the high risk of the womb wall disruption during repeatedly attempted abortion. CONCLUSION: In case of the suspection of the uterus injury a revision and interdisciplinary approach to the solution of complications is necessary.

Atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to appendicular perforation by cecal volvulus.

Atraumatic splenic rupture, an infrequent surgical emergency, constitutes a life-threatening situation. The lack of a traumatic background makes it difficult to suspect. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman, with history of bariatric surgery, referred to our emergency due to 3 weeks long abdominal and lumbar pain, in shock. Imaging diagnosis of splenic rupture, emergent surgery was performed with atypical findings and good evolution. The bibliographic review, background and surgical findings allowed to postulate causality in this unusual presentation. Despite its low frequency, this pathology involves significant mortality and must be present in the patient in shock in the emergency room.

La rotura esplénica atraumática, una emergencia quirúrgica infrecuente, constituye una situación de riesgo vital. La falta de antecedente traumático dificulta su sospecha. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 45 años, con antecedente de cirugía bariátrica, remitida a nuestro servicio de urgencias por dolor abdominal y lumbar de 3 semanas, en shock. Con el diagnóstico imagenológico de rotura esplénica, se realizó cirugía emergente, con hallazgos atípicos, y la paciente tuvo una buena evolución. La revisión bibliográfica, los antecedentes y los hallazgos quirúrgicos permitieron postular la causalidad en esta inusual presentación. Pese a su poca frecuencia, esta patología comporta una mortalidad importante y debe tenerse presente ante un paciente en shock en la sala de urgencias.

[Distribution of leptin expression and its effect on the recovery of sepsis-induced internal disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of leptin expression and the effect of sepsis on leptin protein and mRNA levels. METHODS: Vital organ samples including hypothalamus, lung, liver, spleen, stomach, duodenum, kidney, epididymal fat pad and testis of normal rats were collected. The mRNA expressions of leptin in those samples were determined by RT-PCR. The sepsis rat model induce by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) was established, setting groups of sham-operation, CLP model, CLP + intralipid injection, CLP + estradiol injection and CLP + insulin injection, as the latter three groups were set to intervene energy metabolism and neuroendocrine function. Radioimmunoassay was applied to measure serum leptin concentrations in each group at 12 h after injury, while RT-PCR was also used to detect Leptin mRNA expressions in hypothalamus, fat and lung after injury. RESULTS: Leptin mRNA expressions were confirmed in all the above nine vital organs, with the highest in kidney but the lowest in testis. The serum leptin level showed no significant difference between sham operation group and other four groups. Compared with sham operation group, the Leptin mRNA level in CLP group decreased significantly in hypothalamus, fat and lung, while that in the other three groups showed different changes. The effect of intralipid on Leptin mRNA expression was found to be a dual-direction pattern, with central stimulation but peripheral inhibition. CONCLUSION: Leptin is widely expressed in multiple vital organs, and it may be a protective factor to promote recovery of sepsis-induced internal disorders.

Nonoperative management of appendiceal phlegmon or abscess in children less than 3 years of age.

Background: In children less than 3 years of age, there is little experience in the nonoperative management of appendiceal phlegmon or abscess (APA), especially in APA with an appendicolith. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effects of an appendicolith and the success rate of nonoperative management for APA in these young children. Methods: Children younger than 3 years of age with APA who underwent attempted initial nonoperative treatment between January 2008 and December 2016 were reviewed. Based on the presence or absence of an appendicolith on admission ultrasonography examination or computed tomography scan, children were divided into two groups: appendicolith group and no appendicolith group. Results: There were 50 children who met the study criteria. Among 50 children, three children failed to respond to nonoperative treatment because of aggravated intestinal obstruction or recurrent appendicitis within 30 days of admission. The overall success rate for nonoperative management of APA was 94% (47/50) in children younger than 3 years old. The rate of diarrhea and CRP levels were higher in the appendicolith group than that of the no appendicolith group (P < 0.05). However, the success rate and the hospital length of stay for nonoperative treatment in the appendicolith group and the no appendicolith group were similar without statistical significance. Conclusion: APA with or without an appendicolith can have nonoperative management without immediate appendectomy in children less than 3 years old.

Late complication of diaphragmatic gunshot injury: appendix perforation due to colon incarceration.

Missing the diaphragmatic injury on first admission is often associated with late complications. A 38 year-old male patient is presented here as a case of missed diaphragmatic injury due to gunshot injury resulted with fecal peritonitis. Celiotomy revealed a distended appendix perforation due to herniated left colon obstruction through the left pleural cavity. Left colon and stomach were reduced to peritoneal cavity and diaphragm was repaired with interrupted polypropylene sutures. After being sure about the viability of the colon and stomach, appendectomy with cecal exteriorization was performed. Postoperative period was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day. A thorough inspection of the diaphragm is essential in thoraco-abdominal trauma. Repair of the diaphragmatic defects should invariably carried out to avoid life-threatening complications.

[Diagnostic image (288). A woman with lower right abdominal pain]. / Diagnose in beeld (288). Een vrouw met pijn rechts onder in de buik.

A woman with lower right abdominal pain was diagnosed with a nail perforating the appendix. She must have swallowed this nail in infancy.

Fishbone Perforated Appendicitis.

Ingested foreign bodies tend to pass through the gastrointestinal tract without incidence, and vast majority of cases do not need intervention. Rarely, these foreign bodies drop into the appendix and not likely to re-enter the normal digestive tract. We describe a case of a 72-year-old male patient who presented with right iliac fossa pain of 3-day duration. Clinical examination suggested classic acute appendicitis. Blood test results revealed leukocytosis. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed evidence of acute appendicitis and a linear hyperdensity (foreign body) perforating the appendix. The patient was managed successfully with prompt laparoscopic appendectomy and removal of the foreign body which was confirmed to be a fish bone measuring about 10mm. While imaging diagnosis of fishbone in the appendix has been published, reports are few. To the best of the author's knowledge, fishbone induced perforated appendicitis has been described only in 2 cases (including this case) in the literature.

Hyperbilirubinemia as a predictive factor in acute appendicitis.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to establish the role of hyperbilirubinemia as a predictive parameter for the prediction of either acute, or gangrenous/perforated appendicitis as well as to compare other parameters in a similar role. METHODS: Medical files of the patients who underwent appendectomies between September 2013 and September 2014 were evaluated. Age, gender, preoperative white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), neutrophil percentage (NEU%), C-reactive protein (CRP), total/direct/indirect bilirubin levels, and the postoperative histopathological findings were recorded. The Fisher's exact, Pearson's χ (2), ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests while logistic regression for multivariate analysis was performed. p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The study group of 162 patients consisted of 97 (60 %) men and 65 (40 %) women with a median age of 36 (18-90). Histopathological examinations revealed normal appendix in 21 (13 %) patients, non-complicated acute appendicitis in 100 (62 %), and appendiceal gangrene/perforation in 41 (25 %) patients. WBC, NEU, NEU%, and CRP levels were significantly higher in cases of acute and gangrenous/perforated appendicitis (p < 0.01). Total and direct bilirubin levels were also significantly elevated in patients with acute and gangrenous/perforated appendicitis (p < 0.01). According to multivariate analysis, elevated CRP levels were associated with 14 times, elevated total bilirubin levels were associated with five times, and elevated direct bilirubin levels were associated with 36 times greater risk for appendiceal gangrene/perforation (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperbilirubinemia, especially with elevated direct bilirubin levels, may be considered as an important marker for the prediction of appendiceal gangrene/perforation.

Trauma to the appendix. A report of two cases.

Only two cases of trauma to the vermiform appendix are recorded in the English literature. This report adds two more cases: one due to a penetrating bullet wound of the abdomen where tangential laceration of the appendix was the only intra-abdominal injury, the other an avulsion of the appendix from the mesoappendix resulting from blunt abdominal trauma. Preoperative diagnosis of this specific lesion could not be made. Both patients were successfully managed by appendectomy.

Penetrating injuries of the appendix.

Although rare, penetrating injuries of the appendix pose an interesting finding at laparotomy. Associated penetrating gastrointestinal injuries are common. Four additional cases of trauma to the appendix from penetrating wounds are described.

Appendix perforation by an intrauterine contraceptive device.

Perforation of the uterus by an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) is a rare, and serious complication, occurring in 1/350 to 1/2500 insertions. Perforation by IUDs can involve several neighboring organs such as the bladder and rectosigmoid. We report two cases of IUD perforations involving the appendix, both inserted during lactation. The first case is an asymptomatic patient in early pregnancy and the second is a woman whose original presentation was chronic lower abdominal pain. The presence of copper in the abdominal cavity can lead to adhesion formation and subsequent abdominal pain, bowel obstruction or infertility. Thus, we believe that when an IUD is located in the abdominal cavity it should be removed even in an asymptomatic patient. In addition, these cases might suggest postponing the use of this contraceptive method in lactating women.

Appendicitis after blunt abdominal trauma: cause or coincidence?

The association of appendicitis and blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is an exceptionally rare occurrence with a few case reports in the literature. The main question whether this association is a result of causative or coincidental relationship has not been evaluated among children. A retrospective clinical study was performed to clarify the pathogenesis, incidence, clinical characteristics and outcome of appendicitis diagnosed in children during the hospitalization period following blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). The records of 554 patients with BAT who were admitted to our unit between 1979 and 1993 inclusive were reviewed. Five patients (0.90%), 3 males and 2 females, with a mean age of 9.4 +/- 1.4 were found to have appendicitis. None of these patients had any signs or symptoms related to appendicitis prior to BAT. Bruising and rupture of the mesoappendix were noted in 3 patients while edema and hematoma of appendix and terminal ileum were found in two. Full recovery was achieved in all patients following appendicectomy. Our incidence of 0.90% is statistically significantly higher than the highest incidence rate of appendicitis stated in the literature during childhood (t-test for population proportion, t = 2.892; p < 0.05). We emphasise the possibility of a causative relationship between appendicitis and BAT depending on the clinical characteristics, operative findings, statistically significant high incidence rate and literature review.