AN ANALYSIS OF THE PATHOLOGY OF 3003 APPENDICES

Abstract

An analysis was made of 3003 appendices seen in a 10-yr period (1969-1978). Acute appendicitis was found to be a disease of the young, with 1385 (80%) cases of 1711 occurring in patients < 30 yr of age. Fecaliths and lymphoid hyperplasia were found only in a very small percentage of acute appendicitis cases, and this lends further support to the hypothesis that acute appendicitis is a disease of western culture where the diet is low in cellulose. There was no seasonal predilection for acute appendicitis. Other pathological conditions were discussed and illustrated. More normal appendices and more of those exhibiting nonacute conditions were removed from females. The submission of appendices for histological evaluation is a most worthwhile procedure, with a significant yield of unexpected important information.