Research Article Variations in the Position and Length of the Vermiform Appendix in a Black Kenyan Population Philip Mwachaka, Hemed El-busaidy, Simeon Sinkeet, and Julius Ogeng’o Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi 00100, Kenya Correspondence should be addressed to Philip Mwachaka; pmaseghe@gmail.com Received 28 February 2014; Accepted 20 March 2014; Published 30 April 2014 Academic Editors: L.-A. Arr´ aez-Aybar, C. Dall’Aglio, C. Dilullo, P. Hebbard, and B. Mitchell Copyright © 2014 Philip Mwachaka et al. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Background. Topography of the appendix infuences its mobility, degree of mobilization of the cecum, and need for additional muscle splitting during appendectomy. Although appendectomy is a common surgical procedure, there is a paucity of data on its topography in black Africans. Methods. Te position and length of the appendix and relation of the appendicular base with spinoumbilical line were determined in 48 cadavers obtained from the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, Kenya. Results. Te commonest appendicular types in males were retrocecal 10 (27%) while in females was subileal 4 (36.4%). Te average length of the appendix was 76.5 ± 23.6 mm. Te base of the appendix was located along, below, and above the spinoumbilical line in 25 (52.1%), 9 (18.8%), and 14 (29.2%) cases, respectively. Conclusion. Te topography of appendix in Kenyans shows variations from other populations. Knowledge of these variations is important during appendicectomy. 1. Introduction Te vermiform appendix is the most variable abdominal organ in terms of position, extent, peritoneal, and organ rela- tions [1–4]. Knowledge of the variations in the position of the vermiform appendix is important because, in appendicitis, its variable positions may produce variable symptoms and signs which mimic other diseases [5–7]. Further, understanding of these variations is important during other intra-abdominal procedures [4, 8]. Te length of the vermiform appendix is important in infuencing the diferential diagnosis of acute abdomen [2]. Ethnic and geographical variations have been reported regarding the position of the appendix (Table 1). Tis variable anatomy may pose a challenge during appendectomy because it may necessitate extension of a transverse incision or additional muscle splitting. Both these may complicate the surgery, prolong the operating time, and can afect the cos- metic outcome [9]. Awareness of these variations is therefore important for preoperative planning. Although appendec- tomy still remains one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in Kenya [10–12], there is still scarcity of data on variant anatomy of the vermiform appendix in Kenyans. Tis study therefore aimed to investigate the topography of the appendix in a black Kenyan population. 2. Materials and Methods Forty-eight human cadavers (37 males) obtained during routine dissection in the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, were studied. Ethical approval was obtained from the Kenyatta National Hospital/University of Nairobi Ethics and Review Committee before commence- ment of the study. Subjects with any gross abnormalities of abdominal organs, fbrosis, kinking or adhesions, and history of abdominal surgery were excluded. Following resection of the anterior abdominal wall, the position of the base of vermiform appendix was determined using the schema derived by [13](Figure 1). Representative photographs were taken using a Fujiflm A235 digital camera. Measurement of the length of appendix from its base was taken using a string and a ruler. Te distance from anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and umbilicus (the spinoumbilical line) was measured. McBurney’s point was taken to be the proximal two-thirds of the spinoumbilical line. Te relation Hindawi Publishing Corporation ISRN Anatomy Volume 2014, Article ID 871048, 5 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/871048