On 3/8, Quang Binh Regional General Hospital reported a rare case of situs inversus totalis, a condition where the internal organs are mirrored from their normal positions. The 41-year-old female patient presented with a dull ache in her lower and upper abdomen and a reduced appetite. The initial atypical symptoms made diagnosis challenging. Subsequent abdominal ultrasound and CT scan revealed the situs inversus totalis and acute appendicitis, with the appendix located on the left side of the abdomen instead of the right.

Situs inversus totalis is a congenital condition where the organs in the chest and abdomen are mirrored from their usual locations. In this patient's case, instead of experiencing pain in the lower right abdomen, the typical symptom of appendicitis, she felt pain in the lower left abdomen. This can easily be confused with other conditions such as colitis, left ureteral stones, or diverticulitis.

The surgical team performed a laparoscopic appendectomy, exercising extreme caution due to the reversed organ placement. The 60-minute procedure was successful, with the inflamed appendix safely removed and no post-operative complications.

Doctors performing the surgery. Photo: Hospital provided

Dr. Nguyen Van Hue, the attending physician, emphasized the surgery's complexity due to the unusual organ placement. Failure to recognize situs inversus totalis could lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, potentially causing a ruptured appendix, peritonitis, and other severe complications.

The patient recovered well after the surgery, with her abdominal pain resolved, her appetite returned, and her condition stable. Doctors advise against neglecting persistent abdominal pain, even if it's not in the "usual" location.

Thuy Quynh