Histopathology Of Routine Appendectomies Is Justifiable

Background: A appendix removed for acute appendicitis has been sent for histopathological examination, but this practice has been the subject of controversy. This study was conducted to assess the feasibility or otherwise of performing histopathological examination in every specimen of appendix. Methods: we analyzed, retrospectivelyhisto pathological reports of all appendix specimens after appendectomy in last one year. Results: - A total of 952 appendix specimens were sent for HPE, out of which347(36.5%) showed evidence of acute suppurative appendicitis, 219(23%) showed evidence of acute appendicitis,,174(18%) showed evidence of acute transmural appendicitis,168(17.6%) showed evidence of lymphoid follicular hyperplasia,3(0.3%) showed evidence of chronic appendicitis,4(0.4%) showed evidence of benign mucinous cyst adenoma,3(0.3%) showed evidence of carcinoid tumour,32(3.3%) were unremarkable,1(0.1%) case of xanthogranolomatous appendicitis and one poorly preserved specimen. Conclusion: Incidental diagnosis of carcinoma appendix is not rare,if the protocol of routine histopathology of appendix specimen is not followed, subclinical malignancies would fail to be identified with disastrous results. we strongly recommend routine histopathology of all appendix specimens.