Why the study?
Does removal of a normal appendix increase the risk of readmission with suicidal behaviour or unexplained pain compared to removal of an inflamed appendix?
Does removal of a normal appendix increase the risk of readmission with suicidal behaviour or unexplained pain compared to removal of an inflamed appendix?
Patients who undergo appendicectomy and are found to have a normal appendix are at higher risk for readmission due to psychological factors or unexplained pain, suggesting they should be informed of their normal appendix status.
Removal of a normal appendix was associated with higher readmission for suicidal behaviour or unexplained pain; leaves open causality and requires prospective validation.
Appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain, but in ten per cent of appendicectomies the appendix is normal. Follow up of 54 patients having a normal appendix removed reveals that in only two cases was a physical diagnosis missed and yet these patients were more likely to be readmitted with suicidal behaviour or further unexplained pain than patients who had an inflamed appendix removed. Psychological factors may be of aetiological importance in patients having a normal appendix removed, and although none of these patients had multiple admissions or further abdominal surgery it is suggested that patients be told that their appendix was normal.
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Joyce et al. (1981) studied this question.
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