BACKGROUND Recent theory proposes that the appendix functions as a reservoir for commensal bacteria, and serves to re-inoculate the colon with normal flora in the event of pathogen exposure or purging of intestinal flora. If true, we reasoned that flora from a normal appendix could provide protection against Clostridium difficile. We conducted this investigation to examine the protective effect...

OBJECTIVE To audit the appendectomies at our institute, and summarise atypical pathological results with a discussion of appropriate management. DESIGN. Retrospective study. SETTING Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS All patients who underwent appendectomy for presumed acute appendicitis from June 2003 to June 2008 were recruited. Incidental appendectomy was excluded. Patient demographi...

BACKGROUND The preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis is often inaccurate in pregnant women, and complicated appendicitis is associated with a high rate of fetal loss. The study objective was to evaluate rates of fetal loss and early delivery in pregnant patients undergoing appendectomy, using a large population-based database. STUDY DESIGN Using the California Inpatient File, we retros...

PURPOSE Conventional laparoscopic appendectomy is performed using three ports, and single-port appendectomy is an attractive alternative in order to improve cosmesis. The aim of this study was to compare pain after transumbilical single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SA) with pain after conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (TA). METHODS From April to September 2011, 50 consecuti...

OBJECTIVE To compare the results of open with laparoscopic appendectomy in terms of postoperative pain, rate of wound infection and hospital stay. METHODS This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Deprtment of Surgery, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, over a period of six months. Patients undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis were randomly assigned into one of the two groups (A...

Surgical treatment of the complications associated with Meckel’s diverticulum is widely accepted, but surgical management of an asymptomatic diverticulum found incidentally during laparotomy for other reasons is controversial. Appendectomy is the most common reason for laparotomy in many pediatric surgery clinics. The most common causes of an intestinal obstruction in the early period after app...

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the world. We aimed to compare laparoscopic and open appendectomy in the elderly in our experience. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of elderly patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis from 1st of January 2006 to the 31st of July 2012. We analyzed...

The diagnostics of appendicitis are everyday routine for surgeons at emergency units. In many cases, the diagnosis of appendicitis is straightforward and the decision regarding surgery simple. However, the diagnosis can be challenging, and despite advanced diagnostic imaging, the rate of removal of healthy appendices in suspected cases of appendicitis (negative appendectomies) remains high. Ear...