[Acute appendicitis in a boy with an earlier appendectomy and a second appendix].
A 17-year-old boy who had already undergone appendectomy, presented with a one-day history of severe pain in his right lower abdomen. Physical examination and other investigations indicated acute appendicitis. On exploratory laparotomy, a second, inflamed appendix was found. Appendectomy was carried out, and the patient made a good recovery. Pathological examination of the organs removed at each operation confirmed that during both procedures an intact and clearly inflamed appendix had been removed. A double appendix is a rare clinical entity and may be associated with other congenital abnormalities. Doctors should be aware of the possibility of appendiceal duplication to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment.
Geurts
B A
BA
Ziekenhuis Bronovo, afd. Heelkunde, Den Haag.
van Rijn
A B B
AB
Koelma
I A
IA
D000293:Adolescent; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D001065:Appendix / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome