appendicitis after a colonoscopy

i'm 50 years old and recently had a colonoscopy. during the
procedure i suffered extreme pain on my lower rirht side, even
under sedation it "woke" me for a moment. pain continued for
the next three days, which ended in emergency surgery to remove
a ruptured appendix. the pathology report notes fecalith present and i recall the doctor who performed the colonoscopy noting this
also. could could the fecalith have been "pushed" into the appendix causing the rupture? thanks for time

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It may be possible that the movement due to a colonoscopy could have cause a fecalith to obstruct the lumen of the appendix.  However, this is purely speculation without examination, but still possible.  

I am not aware of acute appendicitis being a common complication of a colonoscopy.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[surgeon]

fecaliths form in the appendix, so it would not have been pushed into it. The fact that you had extreme pain in the area during the procedure suggests that, by an amazing coincidence, you had appendicitis brewing already before the colonoscopy began, and that that is why you had pain. Or, depending on what the pathology of the appendix showed, it's also conceivable that your colon was perforated by the procedure, and that the fecalith had nothing to do with it.

[marge46]

A related discussion, ruptured appendix post colonoscopy was started.

[kandrews8781]

A related discussion, Appendicitis after colonoscopy was started.