Skip to main content
Log in

Intraperitoneal fluid collection after laparoscopic appendectomy

Sonographic analysis in asymptomatic patients

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Surgical Endoscopy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the frequency of postoperative fluid collection after laparoscopic appendectomy in patients with normal postoperative development. Twenty-eight patients were included. The surgical technique, histological data, and postoperative development during the first postoperative month were recorded. A sonographic analysis was performed on the 5th postoperative day by a radiologist who was not aware of the histological and surgical data. Ten cases of fluid collection were found (37%). The frequency was higher in cases of suppurated appendicitis and significantly higher with associated periappendicitis. Peritoneal irrigation or retrocecal dissection did not influence the occurrence of fluid collection.

Postoperative serous fluid collection occurs with a high frequency after laparoscopic appendectomies, and one must be careful in interpreting sonographic analyses in looking for deep abscesses in patients with difficult postoperative development.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aveline B, Guimaraes R, Bely N, Salles J-P, Cugnenc P-H, Frija G (1993) Intraabdominal serous fluid collections after appendectomy. A normal sonographic finding. Am J Roentgenol 161: 71–73

    Google Scholar 

  2. Dubois F (1992) Appendicectomie. In: La Chirurgie abdominopelvienne par coelioscopie. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 139–144

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gerzof SG, Oates ME (1988) Imaging techniques for infections in the surgical patient. Journal 68: 147–165

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ghahremani GG, Gore RM (1989) CT diagnosis of postoperative abdominal complications. Radiol Clin North Am 27: 787–804

    Google Scholar 

  5. Herd ME, Cross PA, Dutt S (1992) Histological audit of acute appendicitis. J Clin Pathol 45: 456–458

    Google Scholar 

  6. Jeffrey Jr RM, Laing FC, Lewis FR (1987) Acute appendicitis: high-resolution real-time US findings. Radiology 163: 11–14

    Google Scholar 

  7. Loh A, Taylor RS (1992) Laparoscopic appendicectomy. Br J Surg 79: 289–290

    Google Scholar 

  8. Maull KI, Shirazi KK, Whitley RE, Halloran LG, Gayle WE, Haynes Jr BW (1981) The effect of prophylactic drainage on subhepatic fluid collections after elective cholecystectomy. Am Surg 47: 85–88

    Google Scholar 

  9. Neff C, Simeone JE, Ferrucci Jr JT, Mueller PR, Wittenberg J (1983) The occurrence of fluid collections following routine abdominal procedures: sonographic survey in asymptomatic post-operative patients. Radiology 146: 463–466

    Google Scholar 

  10. Richards W, Watson D, Lynch G, Reed GW, Olsen D, Spraw A, Holcomb W, Frexes-Steed M, Goldstein R, Sharp K (1993) A review of the results of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy. Surg Gynecol Obstet 177: 473–480

    Google Scholar 

  11. Tate JJT, Dawson JW, Chung SCS, Lau WY (1993) Laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy: prospective randomised trial. Lancet 342: 633–637

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sales, J.P., Adrien, C., Blery, M. et al. Intraperitoneal fluid collection after laparoscopic appendectomy. Surg Endosc 9, 805–806 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00190086

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00190086

Key words

Navigation