Acute Suppurative Appendicitis Following Screening Colonoscopy

Abstract

There has been a significant increase in the number of colonoscopies being performed worldwide. Moreover, post-colonoscopy appendicitis is a rare phenomenon, with limited clarity about its pathogenesis. Herein, we discuss the case of 41-year-old female patient, who underwent forceps biopsy polypectomy and cold snare polypectomy during a colonoscopy for a routine check-up. However, 6 h later she experienced episodes of lower abdominal pain and vomiting, subsequently diagnosed as acute appendicitis upon revisit. The patient afterwards underwent laparoscopic appendectomy in the general surgery department. There is a significant lack of knowledge regarding the mechanism of occurrence and predisposing factors associated with post-colonoscopy acute appendicitis; however, if a patient exhibits clear symptoms and a typical course of pain, active exploration for appendicitis can be considered, even shortly after undergoing colonoscopy.