STUMP APPENDICITIS IN A 2 YEAR-OLD PATIENT. CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

ABSTRACT Stump appendicitis is a rare cause of acute abdomen in the pediatric population, therefore, it is not suspected frequently. This paper presents the case report of a 2-year-old child admitted into the emergency room due to vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. On admission, the patient presented with tachypnea, tachycardia, abdominal bloating and abdominal tenderness; laboratories showed leukocytosis, thrombocytosis and an elevated C-reactive protein (CPR) levels. Abdominal obstruction was considered because of a prior history of peritonitis associated with perforated appendicitis. However, an emergency laparotomy had to be performed during hospitalization due to hemodynamic deterioration and worsening of abdominal pain. Peritonitis, appendicitis, intestinal perforation and an incidental Meckel's diverticulum were found. After surgery, the patient was taken to the intensive care unit, where antibiotic therapy was administered for 14 days and multiple peritoneal lavages were performed; finally, the patient was discharged. Even though stump appendicitis is not a common cause of acute abdomen, it should be kept in mind in patients with history of appendectomy accompanied by abdominal pain, who attend the emergency service. Delay in diagnosis and treatment is associated with higher morbidity rates and an increase in medical costs.