title: Appendix and cecum. Embryology, anatomy, and surgical applications.
abstract: Surgeons should be familiar with surgery of the cecum and appendix because the diseases of this region, especially appendicitis, are the most common indications for surgical exploration. Usually, diagnosis of appendicitis and appendectomy are not difficult, but atypical location of the appendix or other anatomic anomalies can make the diagnosis of appendicitis and appendectomy difficult. In cases of atypical anatomy or diffuse clinical picture, especially in young adults or elderly patients, the spectrum of embryologic and anatomic anomalies must be kept in mind to make the correct treatment decision for individual patients. If doubt persists, explorative laparotomy must be performed to avoid overlooking rare, acute, intra-abdominal abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital, University of Technology at Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schumpelick
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dreuw
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ophoff
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prescher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001063:Appendiceal Neoplasms / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001065:Appendix / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002430:Cecal Neoplasms / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002432:Cecum / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans