The importance of fecaliths in the aetiology of acute appendicitis

Abstract

Aim: Fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia, parasites, undigested plant residues and foreign bodies are considered as part of the aetiology of acute appendicitis. In our article we discussed about fecaliths, fecalith formation, and its aetiological value.

Methods: Patients which have been operated on for acute appendicitis between 2009-2010 are analysed retrospectively.

Results: The average age was 29,3. The number of cases with fecalith was 261 (36,1%). Out of these, 19 acute appendicites, 95 phlegmons, and 30 perforations were detected.

Conclusions: Intraluminal pathologies probably play a major role in the development of acute appendicitis. Intraluminal pathological findings may also be seen in healthy persons without necessarily pointing to acute appendicitis. Disease progresses from intraluminal fecalith with no inflammation to perforation from the beginning. There are many explanations regarding the formation of fecaliths. Diagnosis of the fecalith may be decided with ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. In case of preoperatively demonstrated intraluminal fecalith through ultrasonographic examination with clinical symptoms of acute appendicitis, early appendectomy must be performed in our opinion. Early appendectomy lowers morbidity and mortality rates.