Incidental appendectomy: frequency of pathologic abnormalities.

The incidence of pathologic abnormalities found in the appendix when it is removed incidentally at the time of jejunoileal bypass is reported. Thirty-one per cent of these appendices had significant histopathologic changes. In the authors' opinion these findings support the theory that the appendix may undergo bouts of acute inflammation that are self-limited and that the fibrosis observed in the appendix is a direct sequela of such episodes. In potentially contaminated primary procedures the addition of incidental appendectomy does not increase operative morbidity or mortality.