Laparoscopic resection for appendiceal mucocele secondary to endometriosis: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: This case report describes a patient who underwent laparoscopic resection of the mucocele of the appendix secondary to endometriosis, a rarity in clinical practice.

Patient concerns: The patient was a 38-year-old woman with a history of endometriosis and an ovarian cyst who sought medical advice with a chief complaint of mild right lower abdominal pain.

Diagnoses: Computed tomography and ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed a cystic lesion at the distal end of the appendix without definitive findings of malignancy. Colonoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor-like elevation at the appendiceal orifice. Appendiceal mucocele was suspected preoperatively.

Interventions: The lesion was resected laparoscopically. Secondary ileocecal resection with lymphadenectomy was possible if the resected specimen was pathologically diagnosed as a malignant tumor with the risk of lymph node metastasis.

Outcomes: The resected specimen was pathologically diagnosed as an appendiceal mucocele secondary to endometriosis; therefore, additional surgery was avoided.

Conclusion: Although appendiceal mucoceles secondary to endometriosis are rare, laparoscopic surgery in which only the lesion was resected is a useful strategy for the treatment and pathological diagnosis of appendiceal mucoceles without findings of malignancy.