Retrospective analysis of appendicectomy specimens: A tertiary care center-based study

Abstract

Introduction: Acute abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa is the most common symptom of acute appendicitis for which appendicectomy is usually done. Histopathological examination of appendicectomy specimen reveals different causes of appendicitis which will decide further course of action. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to record the percentage of various pathologies of appendix, by carrying out a retrospective study of appendices excised in the past 2 years. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and sixteen cases of appendicitis were taken and H and E sections of the specimens were reviewed. Observation and Results: Out of 316 cases, there were 192 (60.8%) cases of acute appendicitis, 56 (17.7%) of periappendicitis, 1 (0.3%) of acute appendicitis with diffuse lymphoid hyperplasia, 7 (2.2%) of subacute appendicitis, 9 (2.8%) of recurrent appendicitis, 10 (3.2%) of obliterative appendicitis including one case of roundworm infestation, 25 (7.9%) of chronic appendicitis, 3 (0.9%) of mucocoele, 2 (0.6%) of mucinous neoplasm, 2 (0.6%) of carcinoid, 1 (0.3%) of adenocarcinoma, and 8 (2.5%) of normal appendix. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of histopathology as some of the rare malignancies of appendix as mucinous neoplasm, carcinoid, and adenocarcinoma can present with acute abdominal pain. Hence, careful histopathological examination of appendix and regional lymph nodes is mandatory with follow-up and endoscopy of the patient.