A Case of Appendicitis with Long Appendix

Abstract

Background: Appendicitis commonly happens during the second to fourth decades of life. Mean age of patients is 31.3 years and it is slightly more prevalent in males. Obstruction of lumen is the dominant casual factor in acute appendicitis. Although fecaliths are the usual cause of appendiceal obstruction, less common causes are previous X-ray studies, tumors, vegetable and fruit seeds, and internal parasites. Appendicitis is a polymicrobial infection. Main organisms observed in acute appendicitis and in perforated appendicitis are Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis. However, a wide variety of both facultative and anaerobic bacteria and mycobacteria may be present. Although the incidence of appendicitis in aged population is less than younger individuals, the mortality rate is significantly higher in older patients. Death might be attributable to delay in diagnosis, fast progress of the disease and comorbidity Case Report: We present an 85-year-old man who underwent surgery with diagnosis of acute appendicitis. He was a rare case of long appendix that was wrapped around the intestine loop and made an obstruction. The appendix was completely gangrened but there was no evidence of gangrene in the intestine. The patient was discharged 5 days after appendectomy when he was fine and his vital signs were stable.

Keywords

• Appendicitis
• Long Appendix