Liver Abscess as an Uncommon Complication of Laparoscopic Appendectomy: A Case Report

Abstract

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is an infrequently seen complication of appendicitis that once was common, but now is so rare many textbooks omit the condition entirely. In this report, we document a recent case of post-appendicitis PLA in an eight-year-old Hispanic female treated with a combination of medical and surgical management. We have detailed the course of treatment, both to raise awareness of this uncommon complication of appendicitis and to help provide a guide for other clinicians treating similar cases. While cases of pediatric PLA post-appendicitis are rare in the modern world, timely diagnosis and treatment of the lesions are paramount to patient recovery and prevention of long-term sequelae. Study of prior literature and research is likely to be of vital importance to the treatment of the condition. Multiple treatment modalities may be considered, and there is no true standard of care for pediatric populations presenting with PLA.