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Claudius Amyand's hernia is defined as the incarceration of the vermiform appendix in the hernia sac. The first reported appendicectomy was performed in 1735. It is very rare among children, hence its frequency is not yet established. We report the case of a 22-day old new born with untreated simple inguinoscrotal hernia who had an urgent admission to the Emergency Department due to occlusive syndrome with no evacuation of faeces and no passing of flatus, inflammatory inguinoscrotal swelling and bilious vomiting persisting for 2 days. Treatment was based on the restoration to good health and on preanesthetic assessment. Intraoperative exploration showed necrotic bulging appendix in its distal half with false membranes. Appendectomy was performed with closure of the hernia sac. Patient's evolution was marked by resumption of intestinal transit 24h after surgery.

Our study aimed to evaluate the outcome of the surgical treatment of appendicular plastron after deferred or emergency appendectomy. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study of 27 patients treated for appendicular plastron from January 2000 to 31 December 2007. Diagnosis was based on clinical examination showing a mass in the right iliac fossa, on ultrasound or made intraoperatively. All patients undergoing emergency surgery were classified in Group I while those undergoing deferred surgery were classified in Group II. 18 men and 9 women were registered, with a sex-ratio man /Woman=2. The average age of patients was 33 years, ranging between 19 and 57 years. Clinical signs were dominated by pain in the right iliac fossa and fever in 25(92.6%) and 15 (55.6%) of cases respectively. In group I, appendectomy couldn't be performed in 7 cases (n= 15) due to surgical complications. In all other cases appendectomy was performed by enlarging Mac Burney's incision and was associated with longer length of stay in hospital. Group II included 12 patients (n=12), 9 underwent laparoscopy and 3 patients underwent Mac Burney's incision. 3 cases with peritoneal adhesions were detected during coelioscopy. Deferred appendectomy of appendicular plastron is a safe and efficient surgical procedure. It allows to avoid unattractive scarrings and iatrogenic digestive fistulas. Emergency appendectomy shouldn't be performed in patients with appendicular plastron because it increases the risks of morbidity.

Complete common mesentery is a rare abnormality in midgut rotation. Its detection is exceptional during adulthood because, during this period, is very often asymptomatic and therefore not diagnosed. Complete common mesentery may be discovered incidentally in patients with ectopic appendicular syndrome, as in our case study. We here report the case of a 42-year old patient presenting with acute clinico-biological pelvic inflammatory disorder. CT scan allowed the diagnosis of complete common mesentery associated with acute appendicitis. Laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis of perforated acute appendicitis associated with intestinal malrotation. Appendectomy outcomes were favorable.

The year 2016 allowed further implementation of previous years innovations with the PIPAC treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis, the development of new surgical technologies and procedures and challenging general principles in general and digestive surgery, including cholecystectomy and appendectomy. Prevention, improved general and perioperative care (ERAS program) become an integral part of our standard surgical activity., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Over the last 20 years, the treatment of acute appendicitis has been transformed by the development of the laparoscopic approach. And yet the net value of this approach continues to be debated. Laparoscopic appendectomy is associated with a lower complication rate and a shorter period of disability in the general population. While operative costs are higher, the global cost of laparoscopic appendectomy is lower than for open appendectomy. There is a somewhat higher rate of abdominal abscess for the laparoscopic route. Laparoscopic appendectomy shows clear advantages in obese patients and in those with gangrenous or ruptured appendicitis. The laparoscopic approach is contra-indicated during pregnancy due to a higher incidence of miscarriage. Treatment of the appendiceal stump by ligature decreases the expense associated with the use of a surgical stapler. When Meckel's diverticulum is encountered during appendectomy, it should be removed in all pediatric patients; in adults, Meckel's diverticulectomy in adults should be performed only for clear-cut pathology. Surgeons continue to innovate and refine appendectomy techniques but many questions remain to be answered.

An 19-year-old woman was admitted for acute appendicitis. The histological study of the appendix revealed a tubular variant of endocrine carcinoma of the appendix. Neuroendocrine tumors ("NETs") of the appendix are rare tumors which are usually detected incidentally, affecting 0.3% to 0.9% of appendectomies. Depending on their size, but also on some other factors, including histologic type, these tumors will require specific treatment; sometimes appendectomy will not be sufficient.

Our study on acute appendicitis in adults aimed to report current data in Yaounde, Cameroon. This retrospective study included 323 patients, with 185 men against 138 women (sex ratio: 1.37). Mean age was 28.3 years old. Incidence was of 4.6%. Symptoms appeared within a delay of 3 to 4 days and consisted of the triad: abdominal pain (97.5%), vomiting (44%) and anorexia (39.9%). 99.7% of the patients presented with hyperthermia whereas defence on palpation in the right iliac fossa was noted in 307 patients. Rectal examination was evocative in 92.7% of the cases. Hypemeutrophilia was found in 84.9% of the patients. Plain abdominal radiography (PAR) orientated the diagnosis in 74.3% of cases; echography was very useful in abscesses (6,5%). 96.7% of the patients underwent surgery within an average time of 48 hours. McBurney incision was performed in 232 cases. Appendice in the inner latero caecal position was predominant in 243 cases. In seven cases (2.2%), appendice was normal; 2 Meckel's diverticula were discovered (0.6%). We carried out 309 anterograde appendectomies, 317 irvaginations of the appendicular root and 14 epiplooplasties. 302 histological exams were performed; catarrhal appendicitis were ranking first: 167 cases. Morbidity reached 14.2% dominated by sepsis (71.7%). The mortality rate was 0.6%. A better diagnostic approach together with a better sensitisation of the population may shorten surgical delays inducing a decrease of morbidity of acute appendicitis in Cameroon.

Appendiceal intussusception (the inside-out appendix) was often practiced in pediatric surgery when the appendectomy was performed during laparotomy. Complications are exceptional. We report the first case of appendiceal intussusception in an adult appendectomized by this procedure during childhood, reviewing the radiological aspect, pathogenesis, and treatment. This delayed complication of appendiceal intussusception should be known to the surgeon. Treatment during colonoscopy is possible. This inflammation of the vaginated appendix can be prevented by coagulating the appendicular vessels to the serous membrane before turning it inside-out.

Whether or not there is a benefit to laparoscopy versus open surgery in the management of acute appendicitis remains a subject of controversy despite the publication of numerous randomized studies. Operative time is longer for the laparoscopic approach. The incidence of abdominal wall abscess is decreased for laparoscopy but the incidence of deep intra-abdominal abscess may be increased, especially in the case of complicated appendicitis. Post-operative pain is diminished and resumption of normal activity is quicker with the laparoscopic approach. Hospitalization is shorter but the cost of hospital care is higher; nevertheless, the global cost may be less - particularly for patients whose return to work is hastened by a laparoscopic approach. Laparoscopy diminishes the number of normal appendectomies, particularly in women of reproductive age where the diagnosis may be unclear. Laparoscopic appendectomy is practicable and has advantages over open appendectomy under certain circumstances. These advantages are most evident in the young female, the working patient, and the obese patient. Overall, the advantages of laparoscopy are, at best, modest and clinical benefit is not always demonstrable. The risk of deep abscess, particularly in patients with perforated or gangrenous appendicitis, remains an unknown and should be evaluated by further studies.

The subhepatic abscess due to retained fecalith is a rare complication following appendicectomy. The incidence of this complication is probably going to increase due to high rate of laparoscopic appendicectomy. We report 2 cases of subhepatic abscess 1 and 2 years after laparoscopic appendectomies. This potentially serious complication could be preventing with technical recommendations. When it occurs, this complication has to be directly treated by surgical drainage, percutaneous drainage couldn't be successful because it leaves fecalith in its place which is a cause of recurrence. Our reports are the first to use a laparoscopic treatment of this complication.

In acute abdominal syndromes when a surgical exploration is required by the presence of peritoneal symptoms, laparoscopy allows to recognize the lesions and to perform simultaneously the appropriate treatment in most cases. When the surgical indication is doubtful, mainly in case of acute appendicitis, sonography or scanography may confirm the diagnosis. In case of persisting doubt, diagnostic laparoscopy is justified and laparoscopic appendicectomy seems to be the best method when another pathology is not detected by laparoscopy. In abdominal wounds, laparoscopy is useful to confirm their intraperitoneal penetration, mainly in gunshot wounds, and to recognize a diaphragmatic wound which is often isolated and unknown. Laparoscopy often fails to detect all abdominal injuries. In blunt abdominal traumas, laparoscopy is not recommended at the first step. In conclusion, laparoscopy with diagnostic intent only is rarely indicated in abdominal emergencies and its use is not worth being extended. Diagnostic value of laparoscopy is closely linked to its therapeutic interest. Laparoscopy with both diagnostic and therapeutic intent has to be developed in most abdominal emergencies.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study is to present the results of a large homogeneous series of laparoscopic appendicectomy. Special attention is drawn to the reasons for conversion and postoperative complications., Methods: From May 1990 to December 1997, 906 patients were operated by laparoscopy for acute appendicitis, by one surgeon, using the same technique. Acute peritonitis and abscesses were found in 63 patients., Results: There was no post-operative mortality. The overall conversion rate was 2.3 per cent, but was 25 per cent for abscesses with severe inflammatory adhesions, and 0 per cent for diffuse peritonitis. Post-operative complications were more frequent in the early period. The overall morbidity rate was 0.1 per cent, including essentially intraabdominal abscesses., Conclusion: A recent critical review of twelve randomized controlled trials on laparoscopic appendicectomy failed to draw any definitive conclusion because of a statistical lack of power. The present study with a large number of patients shows that laparoscopic treatment is safe. The limit of the method essentially concerns abscesses with sclerous inflammation.

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic appendicectomy on the incidence of histologically normal appendices. Between 1987 and 1997, 1220 consecutives patients--with an average age of 23.5 years (17-73) and including 841 women (69%)--underwent appendicectomy due to the presence of at least one of the following 3 criteria: right iliac fossa guarding, fever greater than 38 degrees C and hyperleucocytosis greater than 10,000. Patients were divided into two group.: First group with 930 patients were operated by laparotomy and the other group of 355 patients underwent laparoscopic exploration with appendicectomy when macroscopic abnormalities were observed (290 cases). In all cases, the appendices were examined under blind conditions and classified as normal or pathological, and were subsequently classified according to the nature and the severity of the lesions. In group I (laparotomy), the incidence of histologically normal appendices was 25.1%. In group II (laparoscopic), this incidence was only 8.2%. The difference was significant (p = 0.015). In 65 cases (18.3%), a macroscopically normal appendix was left in place: in 55 cases the symptoms were due to another identified cause, however, in 10 cases no cause was found. This study suggests that laparoscopy significantly reduces the number of histologically normal appendices because an other cause is identified more easily provided macroscopically normal appendices are not removed with a small proportion (5-10%) cases of early appendicitis with only mucosal involvement. In the absence of other causes for the symptoms, a three-day course of antibiotics can be tried in order to treat possible mucosal lesions. This approach reduces costs without having any adverse consequences on outcome.

The development of laparoscopy in children is designed to decrease the risks of this technique by respecting certain rules (particularly open laparoscopy). The indications are beginning to be well defined for certain frequent diseases (appendicitis, impalpable testes, gastro-oesophageal reflux) suitable for prospective studies, but remain much more subjective in other indications (splenectomy, lumboscopy) due to the limited paediatric series.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare open (Mc Burney incision group MB n = 92) and laparoscopic (group LAP n = 58) appendectomy for complicated appendicitis (abscess or peritonitis)., Material and Method: 150 children, with a mean age of 8.5 years, were operated in our department from January 1990 to April 1996. Only children with complicated appendicitis and positive bacteriology of peritoneal fluid were included in this study. All children received parenteral antibiotics for an average of 5.4 days., Results: The mean operating time was significantly longer in the LAP group (63 vs 43 min p < 0.0001). The conversion rate in the LAP group was 12%. The mean hospital stay was 8.4 days (3-29) without any difference between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference for the complication rate in the 2 groups, except for wound infections which were more frequent in the MB group (p = 0.008). Late postoperative complications occurred in 3 cases in the MB group (none in the LAP group) (NS). There were 2 small bowel obstructions and a wound dehiscence., Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe procedure for complicated appendicitis in children, but the greatest short-term benefit is cosmetic. Long-term results have to be evaluated, particularly with regards to the long-term complication rate.

This retrospective study was designed to compare the cost of laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) in patients operated in 1991-92 and open appendicectomy (OA) in patients operated in 1989-90. Patients were matched for sex, ASA score and age into 2 homogeneous series: 114 LA and 114 OA. Costs of accommodation, operation and time off work were calculated by the observed costs method: daily cost of the inpatient unit, hourly cost of the operating room-recovery ward, and the patient's consumption. A mean specific cost was added in the case of LA. A significant difference was observed for operating time, time off work and for the cost of postoperative stay, the operation and time off work and the total cost of the disease. The excess cost of the operation in the case of LA was not compensated by the reduction of the accommodation costs A clinical benefit in terms of reduction of pain and local complications has been reported in the literature. The cost of hospitalisation is higher with LA, but the cost of time off work is decreased. LA provides a clinical comfort in all patients and an economic benefit in patients with a professional activity.

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic surgery on activity in general and digestive surgery. From May 1990 to December 1994, 2256 laparoscopic procedures were performed for cholecystectomy (36%), appendicectomy (20.4%) or inguinal hernia (19.8%). 23.2% of all procedures performed in 1994 were done laparoscopically. The use of laparoscopy did not, in our experience, added any new indications from 1988 to 1994. The conversion rate was 8.15%. 24% of the conversion cases could not be predicted. Mortality was 0.18% and 1.19% of the patients had to undergo a second operation due to complications of laparsocopic surgery. The impact of laparoscopic procedures, 7 years after the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been great. The results of this surgical technique must be evaluated to determine its medical and economic impact.

A mucocele of the appendix was complicated by appendicular volvulus. The CT-scan findings suggested the diagnosis which was confirmed at laparoscopy. This case illustrates the contribution of laparoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of mucoceles of the appendix.

Objectives: Determine whether laparoscopic surgery for painful syndromes of the right iliac fossa in young women can reduce the number of unnecessary appendectomies and shorten hospital stay., Methods: Thirty-two women (age range 15-43 years) who were admitted consecutively for "acute appendicitis" were included in a prospective study based on laparoscopic surgery for diagnosis and treatment., Results: There were 14 cases of acute appendicitis (all confirmed histologically), 16 cases involving extra-appendicular tissues (mainly salpingitis, n = 7) and 2 cases in which no cause was found. Two unnecessary appendectomies were performed and only one laparoscopy had to be converted to an open procedure. Mean post-operative hospitalization was 3.43 days. These findings demonstrate that laparoscopic surgery effectively reduces the rate of unnecessary appendectomies and probably the duration of hospitalization. Laparoscopic surgery should be more widely used for young women presenting with appendicular syndromes.

Diagnostic laparoscopy under local anaesthesia for acute pain in the right iliac fossa in an old man is reported. Exploring the abdominal cavity under local anaesthesia is an excellent method for establishing a diagnosis in doubtful abdominal pain presentation. This technically easy procedure may avoid up to 45% of unnecessary laparotomies and related complications.

Digestive laparoscopic surgery, which appeared in 1987, has developed rapidly, and has effected many procedures. After seven years, the time has come for surgeons to analyse whether their operative results are conclusive in justifying the continual use of this surgical procedure. If laparoscopic surgery respects the basic principles of conventional surgery, it should increase the patient's comfort during the postoperative period. In this article we shall consider similar fields where this new surgical technique could be beneficial.

Laparoscopic procedures have changed the indications for appendectomy. Routine exeresis should not be performed if a normal organ is observed during an exploratory procedure, but should be in cases with clinical manifestations of right flank pain since neurogenic appendicitis is not rare. We report a recent case observed in a 76-year-old woman. The patient was initially hospitalized for right flank pain with nausea and irregular episodes of diarrhoea. Clinical examination and complementary exploration led to cholecystectomy via subcostal access. On per-operative cholangiography the common bile duct appeared normal. Immediate follow-up was uneventful and the patient was discharged. Twelve days later, the patient complained of the same type of abdominal pain and was hospitalized with a fever at 38 degrees C and shivers. The right flank was very painful at palpation. Echography and computed tomography eliminated a subphrenic abscess or secondary pancreatitis. Pain localized at MacBurney's point 8 days later. Barium study showed a normal colon with the exception of uncomplicated diverticulosis. Subjective pain persisted and appendectomy was decided. Pathological examination revealed neurogenic appendicitis. First described in 1924, neurogenic appendicitis is relatively frequent. Macroscopically, a sclerous fibromyxomatous nodule obliterates the lumen. Microscopically, the central obliterating lesion is composed of hyperplastic nervous tissue in a fibromyxoid matrix, particularly important at the point of the appendix. Clinically neurogenic appendicitis is usually chronic and the appendix appears healthy in situ. Cure is always achieved with resection. Laparoscopic procedures can identify para-appendicular causes of painful abdominal syndromes and sclero-atrophic appendicitis, but in the absence of another explanation exeresis appears to be justified due to the possibility of neurogenic appendicitis.

The practice of coelioscopic approach in acute appendicitis is still very much debated. A study of the results of 73 patients carried out over two and half years leads one to conclude to the interest of this technique also for the treatment of appendicular peritonitis. Full exploration of the abdominal cavity, easy discovery of ectopic appendix, treatment of associated lesions, extended peritoneal washing, are the observed advantages together with reduced length of hospitalisation and few post-operative complications, in particular parietals problems and obstructions at long term. The experience of the surgeon becomes of prime importance to reduce operating time, frequency of open-surgery converting and complications.

The authors have compared their early (50 cases) experience on laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis with a control group treated by open approach. A teaching period is necessary to reduce the converting rate to an open procedure from 22% to 6% p = 0.05 and to obtain an equal median anesthesia time (39 vs 40 mn+/-16) ns). The mean post operative stay for open operation was 5-8 (range 3-23) days and for the laparoscopic route 3.3 (range 1-8) days (p < 0.005). The wound infection rate was 16% (n = 8) for open/ and 0% for laparoscopic appendectomy p = 0.001. The results suggest that emergency laparoscopic appendectomy should be explored further as an alternative to open surgery for acute appendicitis.

The authors report the results of a retrospective study comparing 305 appendectomies by laparotomy (performed in 1988-1989) with 295 appendectomies by laparoscopy (1990-1991). The appendectomy was performed by the "out" technic in 98% of cases of laparoscopy. The two populations are similar. There was no mortality. There was 1% of conversion, 1.4% of incidents and no major accident after laparoscopy. The post-operative course was smooth in 88.2% of cases after laparotomy and in 98% after laparoscopy. A treatment for pain was necessary in 98% of cases after laparotomy and only 45.4% after laparoscopy. The rates of parietal complications, intra-abdominal complications and reinterventions were respectively 10.8%, 1% and 2.4% after laparotomy and 0%, 2.4% and 2.4% after laparoscopy. The mean hospital stay was 7 days after laparotomy and 4 days after laparoscopy. In conclusion, laparoscopy appears superior to laparotomy for performance of an appendectomy: it allows better abdominal exploration, more simple and shorter post-operative course and suppresses parietal complications provided that it is performed by a surgeon with great experience of laparoscopy and respects classic principles of digestive surgery.

Between September 1990 and August 1992, laparoscopic appendicectomy was attempted in 137 patients: 98 females and 39 males (sex-ratio: 2.5:1) with a mean age of 31 years (range: 15-85). The patients were operated on by 9 surgeons. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was possible in 120 patients (87.6%). In 19 patients the procedure was converted into open surgery. The main causes of unsuccessful laparoscopic procedures were: retrocaecal appendix (n = 5) and injury of appendiceal artery (n = 4). The rate of unsuccessful procedures was 31% in retrocaecal appendix and 9.4% in the other cases (P < 0.02). In exclusively laparoscopic procedures, the mean operating time was 63 (2.9) minutes. It was 49 (3) minutes for experienced surgeons and 69 (3.3) for other surgeons (P < 0.05). Histological examination of the appendix revealed inflammatory signs in 97 specimens (71%). There were no wound infections after successful laparoscopic appedicectomy. One female patient developed an abscess in the pouch of Douglas. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days (range: 1-16). These results suggest that laparoscopic appendicectomy is a safe technique, with low morbidity allowing short postoperative hospital stay.