Abstract

BELTRAN, Marcelo A. Right hemicolectomy in patients operated on for acute apendicitis: from the McBurney incision and appendectomy to the midline laparotomy and hemicolectomy. rev. colomb. cir. [online]. 2012, vol.27, n.2, pp.129-138. ISSN 2011-7582.

Introduction: The uncommon clinical condition resulting from a large inflammatory mass encountered at appendectomy that lead to a major colonic resection and the pathology findings motivated this review covering all cases operated on over the past 10 years at our institution, aiming to define the characteristics and adequate approach. Patients and methods: The present study is a retrospective descriptive review of consecutive cases. All clinical records of adult patients operated on for suspected acute appendicitis between 1999 and 2008 were reviewed. During this period 2,175 patients were approached through a McBurney incision. Of them, 39 patients (1.7%) required a right hemicolectomy and were the subject of this analysis. Results: A right hemicolectomy with primary anastomosis was performed in all cases. Complications developed in 69% cases, with 5% mortality. According to the histologic report, the most frequent condition causing the inflammatory mass was acute appendicitis with focal lymphatic hyperplasia (25 patients, 54%, p<0.0001). Other pathological conditions were: right colonic diverticulitis, cecal diverticulitis, colonic wall necrosis, and appendicular or colonic tumors. Conclusions: The results of this series confirm that a right colectomy in patients initially submitted to appendectomy is an unusual clinical scenario. When this occurs, it is due to serious and unexpected pathological conditions. Right colectomy with primary anastomosis has a high morbidity and mortality rates; however, when facing the findings and diagnostic concerns constitutes the appropriate choice.

Keywords : appendectomy; appendiceal neoplasms; colonic neoplasms; hemicolectomy.

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