2016, Número 3
Errores en el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda en ancianos. Estudio de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura
Herrera CL, Joffe FJ, Llamas PLE
Idioma: Español
Referencias bibliográficas: 41
Paginas: 149-157
Archivo PDF: 404.57 Kb.
RESUMEN
Introducción: Por más de seis décadas, la apendicitis aguda en pacientes longevos continúa teniendo errores diagnósticos, lo que resulta en la demora de un diagnóstico oportuno y un retraso en la cirugía. La apendicitis del anciano se caracteriza por un retardo en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de índole multifactorial. El hallazgo habitual durante la cirugía es un apéndice perforado con peritonitis regional o generalizada. La muerte en estos individuos es secundaria a sepsis abdominal por siembra bacteriana de origen intestinal. El curso postoperatorio en un anciano con un proceso inflamatorio mínimo en el apéndice cecal, como el que se describe, es habitualmente benigno al controlarse oportunamente la contaminación peritoneal. Si una comorbilidad no interviene en el postoperatorio, el egreso hospitalario es rápido.
Caso clínico: En el caso que se presenta, el apéndice tuvo un aspecto normal, como se muestra en la fotografía. Nosotros decidimos resecarlo por ausencia de otras anormalidades en la cavidad abdominal. En el estudio histopatológico se describieron cambios inflamatorios confinados a mucosa y submucosa. No hubo perforación. Estas modificaciones pudieron ser secundarias a una severa hipoperfusión por el estado de la mujer.
Conclusiones: Resulta peligroso concluir que “aunque macroscópicamente se aprecie normal el apéndice cecal en sujetos longevos, sería muy razonable extirparlo” para evitar un desenlace como el del caso que se presenta.
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