Post-operative Appendix Specimen Retention Presenting as Small Bowel Obstruction

Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2017 Oct 3;1(4):287-290. doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2017.5.34078. eCollection 2017 Nov.

Abstract

One rare complication of appendectomy is a retained appendicolith, which can become a focal point for infection presenting hours to years after surgery. We present a case in which a 50-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a small bowel obstruction one week post appendectomy. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed, and a necrotic appendiceal specimen containing a staple line across the base as well as an appendicolith was removed. It is crucial to include rare surgical complications in our differentials, alongside the more common pathologies when approaching and treating patients with abdominal pain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports