title: Appendiceal Abscesses Reduced in Size by Drainage of Pus from the Appendiceal Orifice during Colonoscopy: A Report of Three Cases.
abstract: Interval appendectomy (IA) for appendiceal abscesses is useful for avoiding extended surgery and preventing postoperative complications. However, IA has problems in that it takes time before an abscess is reduced in size in some cases and in that elective surgery may result in a delay in treatment in patients with a malignant tumor of the appendix. In order to rule out malignancy, we performed colonoscopy on three patients with an appendiceal abscess that did not decrease in size 5 or more days after IA. After malignancy had been ruled out by examination of the area of the appendiceal orifice, the appendiceal orifice was compressed with a colonoscope, and a catheter was inserted through the orifice. Then, drainage of pus was observed from the appendiceal orifice into the cecal lumen. Computed tomography performed 3 days after colonoscopy revealed a marked reduction in abscess size in all patients. No endoscopy-related complication was noted. Colonoscopy in patients with an appendiceal abscess may not only differentiate malignant tumors, but also accelerate reduction in abscess size.
authors: Division of Gastroenterological and General Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors: Shinjiro
authors: S
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Division of Gastroenterological and General Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors: Ryoji
authors: R
authors: Makizumi
authors: Division of Gastroenterological and General Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors: Kazunari
authors: K
authors: Nakahara
authors: Division of Gastroenterological and General Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Tsukikawa
authors: Division of Gastroenterological and General Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors: Nobuyoshi
authors: N
authors: Miyajima
authors: Division of Gastroenterological and General Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors: Takehito
authors: T
authors: Otsubo
keywords: Appendectomy; Appendiceal abscess; Colonoscopy; Interval appendectomy; Laparoscopic appendectomy