Appendiceal knotting causing small bowel obstruction: A rare case report

Abstract

Introduction and importanceAppendicitis causing intestinal obstruction by forming a knot around a small bowel is uncommon. Preoperative diagnosis is challenging as the typical presentations of appendicitis are not usually seen. The diagnosis of appendicular knotting is usually an intraoperative surprise.Case presentationA 34-year-old male patient (BMI-20.86 kg/m2) presented to the surgical emergency unit with colicky central abdominal pain of 2-days duration, which later involved the whole abdomen. In association with this, he had a history of frequent vomiting of ingested matter which later became bilious. The abdominal examination revealed diffuse abdominal tenderness with guarding and rigidity. On midline exploratory laparotomy, the inflamed appendix which was adherent to the distal part of the ileum was observed. The appendix and the encircled segment of the distal ileum were both gangrenous, and the patient underwent resection of the bowel segment in addition to appendectomy.Clinical discussionWhenever an appendix wraps around an intestine or its tip adheres with small bowel, cecum, or posterior peritoneum forming a ring-like structure, and a segment of a bowel herniates through an opening can cause a closed-loop obstruction with or without strangulation. The management for ileo-appendicular knotting associated with gangrenous bowel could be appendectomy and resection of the bowel segment. Postoperatively, the patient had developed diarrhea caused by ileocecal resection, which later subsided by medication.ConclusionIleo-appendicular knotting is a rare cause of small intestinal obstruction, and it's challenging to diagnose during the preoperative period. As surgeons dealing with acute abdomen in routine clinical practice, knowledge of this unusual case is helpful for clinical suspicion and evidence-based management.