A Very Rare Complication After Appendectomy in a Young Adult Patient: Abscess of the Greater Omentum

Abstract

An 18-year-old male patient was operated on for perforated appendicitis. An appendectomy combined with an omental resection was performed. On the 6th postoperative day, chickenpox was diagnosed, and the patient was transferred to an infectious diseases hospital. On the 16th postoperative day, the patient was readmitted with pain in the area of the postoperative scar, and body temperature of 38 ?. Substantial tenderness in the right iliac fossa without rigidity and peritoneal irritation was found on examination. By ultrasonography, a non-homogeneous hypoechoic mass measuring 40 37 mm without clear borders in the right iliac fossa was visualized, with a small amount of free fluid. The patient was reoperated on. An abscess of the greater omentum was found, and resection of an omental mass with the abscess cavity was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 15th day. We discuss previously published data on postoperative omentitis and omental abscess. Our case is a very rare case of an omental abscess that developed after appendectomy in a young adult patient.




J Med Cases. 2014;5(1):36-39
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc1654e