Mucocele of the appendix

Abstract

Mucocele is a rare lesion of vermiform appendix that occurs in 0.2-0.3% of appendectomies worldwide and represent the 8% of appendix tumors. It is characterized by a cystic dilatation of the lumen caused by mucus-filled obstruction. Eight mucoceles found in 1176 appendectomies performed from January 1987 to December 2008 in our department (0.68%). The mean patient's age was 69.5 years, in 7 of them the mucocele causes were appendiceal mucous neoplasias (2 cystic hyperplasias, 4 cystedenomas, 1 cystadenocarcinoma) and in one patient the cause was inflammation of appendix. The procedure of choice was appendectomy in 6 patients. Right colectomy was performed in two patients, one with cystadenocarcinoma and one other with large cystadenoma. We compare the operative results, follow up and survival of these patients with the corresponding of the literature.