Surgical management of subhepatic perforated appendicitis: a case report

J Med Case Rep. 2020 Sep 12;14(1):151. doi: 10.1186/s13256-020-02499-2.

Abstract

Background: Subhepatic appendicitis is an exceedingly rare presentation, accounting for 0.01% of acute appendicitis cases. It is of prime importance to be aware of variants and manage such challenging cases accordingly.

Case presentation: We present a case of a middle-aged Saudi woman with subhepatic perforated appendicitis and peritonitis who underwent an exploratory laparotomy and appendectomy.

Conclusions: The initial diagnosis and surgical management of such patients is challenging due to an atypical presentation. The surgical management of such patients is discussed with a brief review of the literature.

Keywords: Case report; Laparotomy; Peritonitis; Subhepatic appendicitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Appendectomy
  • Appendicitis* / complications
  • Appendicitis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Appendicitis* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laparotomy
  • Middle Aged
  • Peritonitis* / etiology
  • Peritonitis* / surgery