Synchronous acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis, is it a myth or reality? A literature review

Abstract

Acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis are some of the most common surgical emergencies in the emergency department. Both conditions are common causes of abdominal pain. We had a discussion about co-existing acute appendicitis and cholecystitis and if it is a myth. The concurrent presentation of acute appendicitis and cholecystitis is thought to be rare. A PubMed search of MEDLINE was performed using a combination of the keywords “acute appendicitis” and “acute cholecystitis” to obtain case reports. The search returned 11 case reports of co-existent acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis. The aim of this review is to broaden the prospective of emergency physicians to consider more than one pathology as the cause of abdominal pain. The concurrent presentation of acute appendicitis and cholecystitis is rare but should be considered to avoid complications such as perforation and septicemia.