Appendectomy and biopsy despite inflammatory disease of the bowel.

For many years surgeons have preached against the removal of the appendix when regional enteritis is present. A high rate of fistulization and abscess formation supposedly follows appendectomy in such circumstances. This was not borne out in a series of cases in which appendectomy was carried out despite regional enteritis, granulomatous colitis and ulcerative colitis. Two fistulae occurred in 23 patients. Neither fistula was from the appendiceal stump. Appendectomy is probably a reasonable procedure when enteritis is present, although judgment should be exercised if there is appendicocecal involvement.