Absent Appendix

Abstract

Congenital absence of the vermiform appendix is a rare condition in human that many well-experienced surgeons have never seen. The fact that congenital absence of the vermiform appendix has been reported on several occasions confirms its existence and should be kept in mind. A thorough and meticulous search of the entire ileocecal region and mobilization of the cecum and ascending colon should be carried out before the diagnosis is made. But, it should also be kept in mind that early cessation of appendiceal anlage can result in very tiny ones. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bccj.v1i2.17207 Bangladesh Crit Care J September 2013; 1 (2): 109-110

Appendiceal Agenesis: A Very Rare Intraoperative Diagnosis – A Case Report

“… 6 , 8 Autoamputation of the appendix due to appendiceal torsion, intrabdominal infection and removal in previous surgery should be ruled out and carefully investigated before declaring agenesis. 5 , 10 We did not detect any of these conditions in the current case.…”

“… 1 , 3–9 Diagnosis of this rare condition is made intraoperatively after a thorough laparotomic or laparoscopic exploration. 8 , 10 …”

“…1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Diagnosis of this rare condition is made intraoperatively after a thorough laparotomic or laparoscopic exploration. 8,10 Acute appendicitis is the commonest reason for emergency surgery and diagnosis is predominately based on clinical examination. The diagnosis can be challenging if the presentation is atypical and this may result in treatment delay.…”

Absence of the appendix discovered during childhood

“…However an autoamputated appendix may also be the focus for inflammation within the peritoneal cavity (Louw and Barnard 1955 ). In other cases no cause for the patient’s symptoms is found (Maitra et al 2013 ; Rolff et al 1992 ).…”

“…Most case reports of absence of the appendix are usually noted in adult patients (Greenberg et al 2003 ; Chevre et al 2000 ; Zetina-Mejia et al 2009 ; Maitra et al 2013 ; Rolff et al 1992 ), or adult cadavers (Sarkar 2012 ; Host et al 1972 ) but rarely in children (Nissler et al 2012 ; Lima et al 2003 ). The appendix itself is increasingly becoming an invaluable vestigial structure, particularly in pediatric surgical practice.…”