title: Suspected appendicitis in situs inversus totalis: an indication for a laparoscopic approach.
abstract: We report a case of acute appendicitis in situs inversus treated by laparoscopy. In our opinion, diagnostic laparoscopy is indicated if acute appendicitis is suspected in a patient with situs inversus totalis, either because the pain can be referred to the right iliac fossa in about 50% of the patients, or because the incision in open surgery cannot be sufficient to allow complete exploration of the abdomen. The operation can then be carried out laparoscopically if possible; if not, an appropriate surgical incision can be made.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Chirurgica Generale e dei Trapianti d'Organo, Università di Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Contini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dalla Valle
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zinicola
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D012857:Situs Inversus / Q000150:complications*