title: Long-term outcome of simple inversion of the appendix as an alternative to incidental appendectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inversion of the appendix is an alternative to incidental appendectomy to prevent future appendicitis. This study investigated outcome and complications in a group of patients who underwent simple inversion of the appendix.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inversion of the appendix was performed in 41 patients, including 21 women (51%) and 20 men (49%) (mean age, 48.7 years; range, 12-85 years). A simple inversion technique was used in 65% of patients. Twenty-nine patients had colonoscopy between 3 to 44 months after surgery (mean, 8 months), none for the sake of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the follow up, none of patients developed intussusception or rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy demonstrated an absent appendix in 9 patients (31%). In the remaining 20 patients (69%), the inverted appendix persisted with no obvious change on visualized mucosa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither intussusception nor hemorrhage was observed after simple inversion. In our view, persistence of the appendix is a welcome event since the presence of the appendix may carry several benefits as it continues to work as a specialized organ, exerting an important physiological role in facilitating forward passage of colon contents, providing antibacterial functions and possibly playing a preventive role against development of colon and other cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. jmasad@ju.edu.jo
authors.forename: Jamal Khalil
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Almasad
authors.forename: Faiez S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Daoud
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D001065:Appendix / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome