INFERIOR EPIGASTRIC ARTERY PSEUDOANEURYSM AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMY

Objectives: An inferior epigastric artery pseudoaneurysm is an exceptionally rare occurrence. Formation of an inferior epigastric artery pseudoaneurysm can be seen following surgical intervention and is more common after laparoscopy.

A sixty-eight-year-old male presented with a right upper quadrant bulge at his incision site two months following laparoscopic appendectomy. The patient reported sudden onset of a non-reducible bulge at a 5 mm trocar incision site with minimal pain and without obstructive symptoms. Computed tomography of his abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast revealed a 4.2 cm pseudoaneurysm with peripheral thrombosis within the right inferior epigastric artery. The patient subsequently underwent open exploration with evacuation of pseudoaneurysm thrombus and ligation of arteriovenous fistula. The patient recovered well without complication from pseudoaneurysm.

Inferior epigastric artery pseudoaneurysm following any laparoscopic procedure is rare. This case highlights the importance of understanding the abdominal wall anatomy and its vascular supply to avoid such injury. We present this case to bring light to this rare occurrence and to highlight the importance of proper trocar placement during any laparoscopic procedure.

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