Laparoscopic Incidental Appendectomy: Prevention or Therapy?
This retrospective review describes our experience with the benefits of laparoscopic incidental appendectomy performed in association with various gynecologic procedures. Eighty-five women in the reproductive age group (25 to 48 years of age) were included in this study. Indications for laparoscopy included pelvic pain, pelvic adhesions, and possible endometriosis. There was no immediate or late procedure-related morbidity to the procedure. Visible pathology of the appendix was detected in 16.8% of patients. Of grossly normal appendices, histopathologic examination revealed pathology in 42.4% of cases. Our results suggest that because of the high incidence of pathology in this age group of women, incidental appendectomy at the time of laparoscopy may serve both as a preventive and a therapeutic measure.
McTavish
G
Centennial Medical Center, 2222 State Street, Suite A, Nasville, TN 37203.
Daniell
JF
Kurtz
BR
Anderson
T