Ruptured ileocolic artery pseudoaneurysm after laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis

BACKGROUND: A pseudoaneurysm of the splanchnic vessels is considered to be rare, and in particular, very few cases of pseudoaneurysm in the ileocolic artery are reported. Here, we report a case of rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of the appendicular branch of the ileocolic artery after laparoscopic appendectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old man was diagnosed as having phlegmonous appendicitis, and an emergency laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Bleeding from the inter-appendicular ligament during detachment of adhesions was stopped by white coagulation and Z-suture, and the inter-appendicular ligament was treated. The postoperative course was uneventful, and there were no adverse events or findings suggestive of abscess formation. On postoperative day 30, he presented with a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the appendicular branch of the ileocolic artery. A definitive diagnosis was made by computed tomography, and emergency interventional radiology was performed with hemostasis achieved by coiling. The patient’s postprocedure course was favorable, and he was discharged with no adverse events, such as intestinal ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced a case of delayed pseudoaneurysm rupture after laparoscopic appendectomy. Care must be taken when handling the appendicular artery during the procedure, and the potential for pseudoaneurysm formation should be considered at postoperative follow-up.