Many studies have been conducted to test if acute appendicitis is benign or malignant. Appendicitis is normally benign. Benign abdominal tumors like cystic mesothelioma or peritoneal inclusion cysts usually occur in females of reproductive age. These cysts cause abdominal and pelvic pain. The masses are often found on imaging or during incidental surgery. The benign cystic mesothelioma complicates the presentation of acute appendicitis. Though this is a benign pathology, the recurrences are not uncommon. Benign cystic mesothelioma that might turn malignant is very often associated with appendicitis and appendicitis is sometimes considered to be malignant whereas it is completely benign.

Via: http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/4/1/394

Some studies support laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and some studies stand for open appendectomy (OA). Several researchers are of the view that LA increases the postoperative abdominal abscesses than OA; but random studies prove that LA reduces the duration of hospital stay, postoperative pain, and infection caused by wound. Though the duration of operation was little longer in LA, it has the benefit of visualizing intra-abdominal organs to investigate non-specific abdominal pain and decreases the number of negative appendectomy.

Via: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1449958

The rate of appendectomy was higher in earlier days when computer tomography (CT) was not in existence. Many studies have been conducted to test the negative appendectomy rates of patients who underwent preoperative CT and those who did not go for preoperative CT. In a study conducted on 512 patients who had non-incidental appendectomy, 465 were reported to have gone for preoperative CT and 47 had appendectomy merely on the clinical findings alone. This shows that negative appendectomy rate has been considerably decreased in adult patients who took preoperative CT compared with patients who did not take any preoperative imaging test.

Via: http://www.ajronline.org

Experts feel that there is a relation between the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and appendectomy. Many studies have come out with the finding that appendectomy reduces the risk of ulcerative colitis whereas risk factor for Crohn’s disease is found to have increased after appendectomy. Tests were carried out in animals to find the association. Animals that underwent appendectomy were less likely to develop ulcerative colitis as they are found to be free from Bacteroide, a type of bacteria that causes inflammation in bowels. Researchers are of the opinion that appendix therefore plays a vital role in the mucosal immune system and in defending the body against infection. The risk factor for Crohn’s disease after appendectomy is not yet clear and more studies should focus on this area.

Via: http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/colitis/a/ucappendix.htm

HIV patients are estimated to have higher risk of appendicitis. Since appendix receives predominant supply from terminal arteries, it is the target site for most of the infections. This must be the reason why HIV patients develop appendicitis quicker. Some studies report that HIV patients who underwent appendectomy are found to have postoperative complications, impaired wound healing, and higher mortality rate. Delayed diagnosis and surgical procedure of appendicitis and depressed level of cell-mediated immune response are attributed for higher rates of complicated appendicitis in the HIV patients.

Via: http://www.aidsrestherapy.com/content/7/1/47