Funnel-hood-assisted endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy for acute appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common acute abdominal conditions in the clinic, and is characterized by an acute onset, severe symptoms, and rapid progression [1]. Currently, endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) is an emerging treatment method for acute appendicitis, which involves colonoscopically guided intubation of the appendix, drainage of pus, imaging to clarify the diagnosis, flushing of the lumen, placement of drainage, and so on, to relieve the obstruction and reduce the pressure in the appendiceal lumen [2]. ERAT has the advantages of less trauma, shorter operation time, shorter hospital stay, lower complication rate, faster postoperative recovery, preservation of appendiceal immunity, and absence of surgical scar [2] [3]. However, the conventional transparent hood and guidewire used for ERAT, the contrast catheter, and other instruments do not enter the appendiceal lumen easily, often leading to failure of the operation, and this limits the popularity and widespread adoption of ERAT [4].