Example of Pertinent Negative Specimen (an Appendix with no Pathological Change
Removed for "Gangrenous Appendicitis" with Perforation)

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Example of Pertinent Negative Specimen (an Appendix with no Pathological Change
Removed for "Gangrenous Appendicitis" with Perforation)

A vermiform appendix with no evidence of acute appendicitis.
Any discrepancies or errors within the perioperative environment are known patient safety risks that carry the potential for adverse outcomes. Such an example is a pertinent negative specimen of an appendectomy. This is a gross photograph of a vermiform appendix submitted to surgical pathology with the clinical diagnosis of severe acute appendicitis. There is no evident pathology present in the appendix examined. However, because the specimen was submitted by the surgeon with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis, this discrepancy must be demonstrated in the associated gross photos. These type of specimens with no definitive evidence of lesions should be well documented with photographs.