Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The position of the vermiform appendix at laparoscopy

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

The vermiform appendix has no constant position and the data on the variations in its position are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the various positions of the appendix at laparoscopy.

Methods

Patients undergoing emergency or elective laparoscopy at a university teaching hospital between April and September 2004 were studied prospectively. The positions of the appendix and the caecum were determined after insertion of the laparoscope, prior to any other procedure and the relative frequencies calculated.

Results

A total of 303 (102 males and 201 females) patients with a median age of 52 years (range 18–93 years) were studied. An emergency appendicectomy was performed in 67 patients, 49 had a diagnostic laparoscopy, 179 underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and eight had other procedures. The caecum was at McBurney’s point in 245 (80.9%) patients, pelvic in 45 (14.9%) and high lying in 13 (4.3%). The appendix was pelvic in 155 (51.2%) patients, pre-ileal in 9 (3.0%), para-caecal in 11 (3.6%), post-ileal in 67 (22.1%) and retrocaecal in 61 (20.1%) patients.

Conclusion

Contrary to the common belief the appendix is more often found in the pelvic rather than the retrocaecal position. There is also considerable variation in the position of the caecum.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ajmani ML, Ajmani K (1983) The position, length and arterial supply of vermiform appendix. Anat Anz 153:369–374

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bakheit MA, Warille AA (1999) Anomalies of the vermiform appendix and prevalence of acute appendicitis in Khartoum. East Afr Med J 76:338–340

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Buschard K, Kjaeldgaard A (1973) Investigation and analysis of the position, fixation, length and embryology of the vermiform appendix. Acta Chir Scand 139:293–298

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chew DKW, Borromeo JR, Gabriel YA, Holgersen LO (2000) Duplication of the vermiform appendix. J Pediatr Surg 35:617–618

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Collins DC (1932) The length and position of the vermiform appendix. A study of 4,680 specimens. Ann Surg 96:1044–1048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Collins DC (1951) Agenesis of the vermiform appendix. Am J Surg 82:689–696

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Collins DC (1955) A study of 50,000 specimens of the human vermiform appendix. Surg Gynecol Obstet 101:437–445

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Delic J, Savkovic A, Isakovic E (2002) Variations in the position and point of origin of the vermiform appendix. Med Arch 56:5–8

    Google Scholar 

  9. Katzarski M, Gopal Rao UK, Brady K (1979) Blood supply and position of the vermiform appendix in Zambians. Med J Zambia 13:32–34

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Liertz R (1919) Ober die Lage des Wurmforisatzwe. Arch klin Chir 89:59–96

    Google Scholar 

  11. Maisel H (1960) The position of the human vermiform appendix in fetal and adult age groups. Anat Rec 136:385–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Ojeifo JO, Ejiwunmi AB, Iklaki J (1989) The position of the vermiform appendix in Nigerians with a review of the literature. West Afr J Med 8:198–204

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Peterson L (1934) Beitrag zur kennials des iliam terminals fixatum und ileus ilei terminalis fixati. Acta Chir Scand 75(Suppl 32):105

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ramsden WH, Mannion RA, Simpkins KC, deDombal FT (1993) Is the appendix where you think it is-and if not does it matter? Clin Radiol 47:100–103

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Schumpelick V, Dreuw B, Ophoff K, Prescher A (2000) Appendix and caecum. Embryology, anatomy, and surgical applications. Surg Clin North Am 80:295–318

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Shah MA, Shah M (1945) The position of the vermiform appendix. Ind Med Gaz 80:494–495

    Google Scholar 

  17. Smith GM (1911) A statistical review of the variations on the anatomic positions of the caecum and processes vermiformis in the infant. Anat Rec 5:549–556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Solanke TF (1970) The position, length, and content of the vermiform appendix in Nigerians. Br J Surg 57:100–102

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Standring S (ed) (2005) Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. 39th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh

  20. Waas MJ (1959) The position of the vermiform appendix. Med Press 242:382–383

    Google Scholar 

  21. Wakeley CPG (1933) The position of the vermiform appendix as ascertained by an analysis of 10,000 cases. J Anat 67:277–283

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Wolfson Digestive Diseases Centre, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Floor E, West Block, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK

    Irfan Ahmed, Kristjan S. Asgeirsson, Ian J. Beckingham & Dileep N. Lobo

Authors
  1. Irfan Ahmed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kristjan S. Asgeirsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ian J. Beckingham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dileep N. Lobo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dileep N. Lobo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ahmed, I., Asgeirsson, K.S., Beckingham, I.J. et al. The position of the vermiform appendix at laparoscopy. Surg Radiol Anat 29, 165–168 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-007-0182-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-007-0182-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation