Treatment of Appendiceal Mucocele

Surgical Approach Options

Open surgery may be preferred in cases where there is concern about potential rupture or when laparoscopic expertise is not available, as determined by the size of the mucocele, surgeon's experience, and risk of rupture 1

For patients ≥40 years old with complicated appendicitis (including mucocele), both colonoscopy and interval full-dose contrast-enhanced CT scan are recommended for follow-up, according to the World Journal of Emergency Surgery guidelines 2
Colonoscopy screening is recommended for patients ≥40 years old due to the higher incidence of appendicular neoplasms in this age group, as suggested by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery guidelines 2
Interval appendectomy is not routinely recommended after non-operative management for complicated appendicitis in young adults (<40 years old) and children, but should be performed for those with recurrent symptoms, as recommended by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery guidelines 2

Failure to follow up patients, especially those ≥40 years old who have higher risk of underlying malignancy, is a common pitfall to avoid, as emphasized by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery guidelines 2