Prophylactic appendectomy: Is it worth to be done?

There are still many controversial issues in prophylactic appendectomy In t his retrospective study, we have appraised the reasons and results of proph ylactic appendectomies performed between January 1997 and Angust 1999. Sixt y four prophylactic appendectomy cases were included in this study and all resected specimens were submitted to histopathological analysis. In 23 pati ents with incisional hernias, a prophylactic appendectomy was performed as, in the future, dense adhesions may lead to difficult appendectomy. Additio nal appendectomy had no negative effect on peri operative complications, co mpared with the patients without appendectomies. In conclusion, in the pres ence of optimal conditions, prophylactic appendectomy can be performed safe ly.