Acquired appendiceal-cecal fistula as a complication of untreated acute appendicitis in a noncompliant patient: a case report
Abstract Background Appendiceal fistula is a primary appendix perforation into the surrounding hollow viscera or skin and can rarely occur as a complication of appendicitis. To date, only nine cases of appendiceal fistula to the cecum have been reported. Case presentation We present the case of a 30...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05382-0 |
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| author | Mohammad AshrafAzimi Abbas Abdollahi Amir Rahmanian Sharifabad Seyed Hassan Seyed Sharifi Ali Mehri Seyed Ramin Dabiri |
| author_facet | Mohammad AshrafAzimi Abbas Abdollahi Amir Rahmanian Sharifabad Seyed Hassan Seyed Sharifi Ali Mehri Seyed Ramin Dabiri |
| author_sort | Mohammad AshrafAzimi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Appendiceal fistula is a primary appendix perforation into the surrounding hollow viscera or skin and can rarely occur as a complication of appendicitis. To date, only nine cases of appendiceal fistula to the cecum have been reported. Case presentation We present the case of a 30-year-old Persian male who presented with a low-grade fever and lower abdominal pain for 3 days. He had a history of untreated acute appendicitis 3 years prior. During the appendectomy, a fistula between the appendix and cecum, along with a thick cecal wall, was found. The patient underwent a right hemicolectomy and was discharged with a diagnosis of appendiceal-cecal fistula in the context of appendicitis. Conclusion An appendiceal-cecal fistula usually does not cause any specific symptoms and is an accidental finding. Surgeons should thoroughly explore the ileocecal region for the fistula, particularly in patients with a history of untreated appendicitis. Although the appendiceal-cecal fistula is a rare finding, it can change the surgical plan. Therefore, it is important to discuss this complication with the patient and obtain informed consent preoperatively to avoid potential medicolegal issues. On the basis of our experience, right hemicolectomy is associated with a good surgical outcome in managing the fistula, especially when malignancy is suspected. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8753bb7bb1554892a79b150bd8f30c94 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-8753bb7bb1554892a79b150bd8f30c942025-08-20T03:05:18ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-07-011911510.1186/s13256-025-05382-0Acquired appendiceal-cecal fistula as a complication of untreated acute appendicitis in a noncompliant patient: a case reportMohammad AshrafAzimi0Abbas Abdollahi1Amir Rahmanian Sharifabad2Seyed Hassan Seyed Sharifi3Ali Mehri4Seyed Ramin Dabiri5Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical SciencesEndoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical SciencesEndoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesDepartment of General Surgery, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Appendiceal fistula is a primary appendix perforation into the surrounding hollow viscera or skin and can rarely occur as a complication of appendicitis. To date, only nine cases of appendiceal fistula to the cecum have been reported. Case presentation We present the case of a 30-year-old Persian male who presented with a low-grade fever and lower abdominal pain for 3 days. He had a history of untreated acute appendicitis 3 years prior. During the appendectomy, a fistula between the appendix and cecum, along with a thick cecal wall, was found. The patient underwent a right hemicolectomy and was discharged with a diagnosis of appendiceal-cecal fistula in the context of appendicitis. Conclusion An appendiceal-cecal fistula usually does not cause any specific symptoms and is an accidental finding. Surgeons should thoroughly explore the ileocecal region for the fistula, particularly in patients with a history of untreated appendicitis. Although the appendiceal-cecal fistula is a rare finding, it can change the surgical plan. Therefore, it is important to discuss this complication with the patient and obtain informed consent preoperatively to avoid potential medicolegal issues. On the basis of our experience, right hemicolectomy is associated with a good surgical outcome in managing the fistula, especially when malignancy is suspected.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05382-0AppendicitisComplicationFistulaCecumHemicolectomy |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad AshrafAzimi Abbas Abdollahi Amir Rahmanian Sharifabad Seyed Hassan Seyed Sharifi Ali Mehri Seyed Ramin Dabiri Acquired appendiceal-cecal fistula as a complication of untreated acute appendicitis in a noncompliant patient: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Appendicitis Complication Fistula Cecum Hemicolectomy |
| title | Acquired appendiceal-cecal fistula as a complication of untreated acute appendicitis in a noncompliant patient: a case report |
| title_full | Acquired appendiceal-cecal fistula as a complication of untreated acute appendicitis in a noncompliant patient: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Acquired appendiceal-cecal fistula as a complication of untreated acute appendicitis in a noncompliant patient: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acquired appendiceal-cecal fistula as a complication of untreated acute appendicitis in a noncompliant patient: a case report |
| title_short | Acquired appendiceal-cecal fistula as a complication of untreated acute appendicitis in a noncompliant patient: a case report |
| title_sort | acquired appendiceal cecal fistula as a complication of untreated acute appendicitis in a noncompliant patient a case report |
| topic | Appendicitis Complication Fistula Cecum Hemicolectomy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05382-0 |
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