Appendectomy in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for pelvic pain

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pathologic findings in appendixes of women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for pelvic pain. DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Private practice specializing in gynecologic endoscopic surgery. PATIENTS: One hundred ninety women. INTERVENTION: Prophylactic appendectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: On pathologic evaluation, 154 appendixes were diagnosed as having one or more abnormal findings, such as endometriosis, carcinoid, chronic appendicitis, periappendicitis, fibrous obliteration, and lymphoid hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for pelvic pain should be counseled on the high frequency of abnormal findings in the appendix, including endometriosis. Prophylactic appendectomy appears to be a worthwhile consideration in these patients.