Laparoscopic appendectomy in women without identifiable pathology undergoing laparoscopy for chronic pelvic pain.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the effectiveness of appendectomy in women undergoing laparoscopy for chronic pelvic pain without identifiable pathology.

METHODS:

This retrospective cohort study included women aged 15 to 50 years who underwent laparoscopic surgery for chronic pelvic pain without identifiable pathology. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: women who underwent appendectomy and women who had not undergone appendectomy at laparoscopic surgery. Postoperative pain was assessed at 6-week follow-up and by subsequent mailed questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Women who underwent appendectomy (n = 19) were significantly more likely to report improvement in pain at 6-week follow-up than women who did not undergo appendectomy (n = 76) (93% vs 16%; P < .001). Thirty-six patients (38%) responded to the questionnaire at a median of 4.2 years after surgery, when the median change (improvement) in reported pain was greater in the appendectomy group than in the nonappendectomy group.

CONCLUSION:

Appendectomy is effective therapy for patients with chronic pelvic pain of unknown etiology who are undergoing laparoscopy.

• Authors: Ann K Lal, Amy L Weaver, Matthew R Hopkins, Abimbola O Famuyide
• Journal: JSLS : Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (JSLS) 2013 Jan-Mar Vol. 17 Issue 1 Pg. 82-7 ISSN: 1086-8089 [Print] United States
• PMID: 23743376 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Appendectomy (methods)
• Appendicitis (complications)
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• Humans
• Laparoscopy
• Male
• Pelvic Pain (complications, epidemiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Young Adult