Laparoscopic appendectomy for subhepatic ectopic appendicitis: a case report and literature review

Acute appendicitis is one of the common acute abdominal conditions in general surgery. However, acute ectopic appendicitis is rare among cases of acute appendicitis. Due to its anatomical variation, it primarily presents with atypical abdominal pain. The clinical symptoms and signs are similar to those of acute cholecystitis, acute perforation of gastric and duodenal ulcers, and colonic diverticulitis. When patients present to the emergency department, inadequate preparation for imaging examination and poor gastrointestinal visualization often lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment, resulting in poor prognosis. This report describes a case of subhepatic ectopic appendicitis treated with laparoscopic appendectomy and reviews the relevant literature, aiming to provide clinical experience for diagnosis and treatment and improve diagnostic accuracy.