An unusual case of perforated stump appendicitis: A case report

The stump appendicitis is a rare complication with incidence of 1 in 50,000 appendectomy cases. Patient with a history of emergency open appendectomy one year back presented with symptoms as that of acute appendicitis like pain abdomen localized in right iliac fossa, nausea, vomiting and anorexia. Complete blood count showed leukocytosis. Aside from classical clinical symptoms similar to acute appendicitis other causes of acute abdominal pain were ruled out with clinical laboratory and radiological investigations. This creates a dilemma and delay in diagnosis if investigations are not done promptly. Due to prior surgical history of appendectomy and low index of suspicion, the diagnosis of stump appendicitis is often delayed which may result in serious complications like stump gangrene, perforation and peritonitis. •Stump appendicitis is one of the rare complications of appendectomy.•Stump appendicitis can occur mainly in patients who have undergone either laparoscopic or open appendectomy and may pose a serious diagnostic dilemma.•Surgical resection (appendectomy) either open or laparoscopic is the most appropriate treatment in these cases.•The interval between the initial appendectomy and the new presentation can range from 4 days to 50 years.