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Background: Appendicectomy (AE), the most frequent emergency surgical procedure, can be performed as a transvaginal hybrid natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) technique (TVAE). The question of feasibility also arises in cases of advanced inflammation with perforation. Material and methods: Since May 2012 all female patients with suspected acute appendicitis were offered a TVAE as an alternative to the standard procedure. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative parameters were registered prospectively. Results: Until October 2013 a total of 13 TVAEs had been performed. The median age of the patients was 41 years (range 20-76 years), median BMI was 23.1 (range 18.1-28.3 kg/m) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists score (ASA) distribution (I/II/≥ III) was 8/5/0. Histology revealed three cases of perforated, one hemorrhagic necrotizing and seven phlegmonous appendicitis. Furthermore, there were two findings without inflammation, namely one neurogenic appendicopathy and one neuroendocrine tumor. For the three patients with perforated appendicitis, there was a trend for higher age (67.0 years versus 33.5 years, p = 0.063) and a higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level on admission (134.4 mg/l versus 26.4 mg/l, p = 0.043). Also, procedural time and hospital stay were longer (64 min versus 47 min, p = 0.033 and 14 days versus 3 days, p = 0.004, respectively). The former was mostly due to more extensive intraoperative flushing (volume 3000 ml versus 500 ml, p = 0.013 and duration 13 min versus 2 min, p = 0.011). None of the cases required conversion but two of the three postoperative complications occurred in patients with perforation, which also resulted in the longer hospital stay. Conclusion: Technically, TVAE seems feasible also in cases of perforated appendicitis. However, in these cases procedural time is prolonged due to more extensive flushing. Whether or not the longer hospital stay can be attributed to the perforation or if TVAE results in a higher rate of complications in cases of perforated appendicitis needs further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The recommendations for the treatment of an appendiceal mass are still controversial. The need for staged appendectomy is still under discussion. Patients and methods: In a retrospective study all patients with the diagnosis appendiceal mass (ICD 10 K35.32) treated in the surgical clinic of the University Clinic in Greifswald between June 1999 and June 2011 were analyzed. Results: A total of 38 patients were included in the study whereby 17 patients (9 male and 8 female) were treated with drainage and antibiotics (group A) and 21 (14 male and 7 female) were treated by immediate surgery (group B). Nonsurgical therapy with drainage of the abscess was found to be efficient. Immediate surgical treatment was also effective and should be performed when signs of peritonitis exist. Interval appendectomy is not indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcinoids (neuroendocrine tumors NET) of the appendix are rare tumors and even today mostly detected only postoperatively by histopathology following operations for acute appendicitis or other abdominal procedures. Most NETs of the appendix are located at the tip of the appendix, less than 2 cm in size and non-metastasizing. Secondary right hemicolectomy with lymph node dissection bears a considerable risk of complications compared to simple appendectomy. To decide upon secondary surgery histopathological risk factors, such as grading, invasion of the mesoappendix, and tumor type in addition to tumor localization and size should be taken into consideration. Up to 20% of NETs of the appendix are associated with various neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Follow-up examination should therefore also consider both appendix carcinoids and synchronous or metachronous neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening disease which can only be successfully treated by an interdisciplinary team. An immediate and radical debridement with opening of all compartments and debridement of the affected fascia is the basis for a successful therapy. We report about the treatment of a 21-year-old man who was taken to hospital due to „banal“ back pain which was caused by a perforated appendicitis. In only 2 days necrotizing fasciitis developed which spread out over the complete right leg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]