Giant appendiceal mucocele (17 cm) treated by laparoscopic appendectomy: a rare presentation and review of the literature

Appendiceal mucocele is an uncommon clinical entity, usually detected incidentally and rarely exceeding 10 cm in length. We present a unique case of a giant 17-cm appendiceal mucocele successfully managed with laparoscopic appendectomy. A 51-year-old woman presented with abdominal bloating, and colonoscopy revealed a large submucosal lesion at the cecal base. Computed tomography demonstrated a 17-cm cystic lesion consistent with appendiceal mucocele. The patient underwent laparoscopic appendectomy without complications, and histopathological analysis confirmed low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. She was discharged uneventfully on the first postoperative day and remained asymptomatic at follow-up. Giant mucoceles are exceptionally rare and carry a significant risk of rupture and pseudomyxoma peritonei, emphasizing the importance of careful surgical management. This case demonstrates that even extraordinarily large mucoceles can be safely and effectively treated laparoscopically, supporting the role of minimally invasive surgery as a feasible and reliable option in such high-risk cases.