Chronic steroid use and staple line failure after laparoscopic appendectomy

Acute appendicitis is a common, usually benign inflammatory process of the appendix. It is typically treated with antibiotics or surgery. Transection of the appendix during surgery can be performed using a stapler, endoloops, or clips. We present the case of an 87-year-old male with acute appendicitis on chronic steroids who failed conservative management with antibiotics. He was treated with laparoscopic appendectomy using a powered stapler. We believe this is an unusual case reporting staple line failure after laparoscopic appendectomy in a patient with an intact staple line through viable tissue at the conclusion of surgery.