[Rare anomalies in the development of the appendix]

Abstract

Anomalies of the appendix are extremely uncommon. Cases of complete agenesia have been reported only few times. Even "lucky" surgeons usually do not have the opportunity of seeing in more than once in ca career. Abnormal development of the appendix usually takes the form of a double appendix. About 60 such cases have been reported so far describing several types of the abnormality. Type A is described as a single appendix with the body or tip branching, or, alternatively, completely divided like a double-barreled gun. Type Bis described as occurrence of completely separated appendices with bases also being located on different sites of the cecum (the avian type) or with both bases springing from the intestinal tenia (tenia-coli type). Type C is a doubled cecum, each containing its own appendix. Type D is a horseshoe appendix with two openings at the common cecum All these anomalies are of great practical importance, and a surgeon has to bear them in mind during an operation, since in case he overlooks them the operated patient may experience grave consequences. They also may be the forensic issue in cases when repeated explorative laparotomy reveals "previously removed" vermiform appendix. We report a case of a horseshoe appendix with mesenterial incarceration of the terminal ileum and resulting partial intestinal gangrene necessitating intestinal resection and terminolateral ileotransversostomy. The postoperative course was characterised with partial gangrene of the cecom and fistula of the intestines on a completely intact part of the intestinal wall which could be explained by possible presence of anomalous vascularization in the area.