Pericardial effusion as a rare complication of a perforated appendicitis

INTRODUCTION: Whilst pericardial effusion is a known complication of abdominal pathology, it is rarely reported following ruptured appendicitis and even more rarely requires drainage in that situation. This work has been reported in line with the SCARE criteria (Agha et al., 2016). PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a 14-year-old male who developed extensive right hepatorenal and right paracolic abscesses, bilateral pleural effusions and a large pericardial effusion following laparoscopic appendicectomy. Due to the size of the effusion, thoracoscopic pericardotomy was required. DISCUSSION: Pericardial effusion is a very rare complication of advanced appendicitis despite a demonstrable connection between the retroperitoneum and the mediastinum. Only two cases were reported in our literature search. There is no consensus as to whether percutaneous drainage or pericardiotomy is the treatment of choice. CONCLUSION: The report is presented as a reminder of a rare complication of a common general surgical condition.