[Late sequelae of appendectomy with special reference to adhesions in the lower abdomen, chronic abdominal pain and sterility].

Analyzing the medical history and operation protocols of 2,465 female patients undergoing pelviscopy for different reasons we found that 1,743 patients (71%) reported a previous appendectomy in their anamnesis. 657 patients presented adhesions after previous appendectomy. In 41.5% these adhesions were located in the middle right abdomen. In comparison to a collective of 308 patients without adhesions there were no correlations between the occurrence of adhesions post appendectomy and chronic lower abdominal pain. In conclusion it is to point out that laparotomy--especially appendectomy--correlates in 70% with postoperative adhesions. These adhesions correlate in 30% of cases with chronic abdominal pains and in 40 to 50% we were able to prove periovarian and peritubal adhesions in cases of sterility. In order to prevent unnecessary appendectomy or other unnecessary laparotomies with later formation of adhesion it is very important to use laparoscopy in all questionable cases.