Radical appendectomy as an alternative to right colon resection in patients with epithelial appendiceal neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE

Appendectomy is an extremely common surgical procedure usually performed for an inflammatory process within this organ. Upon occasion, the pathology within the appendix is a neoplastic process which requires definitive oncologic management.

METHODS

The optimal management strategies for appendiceal neoplasms were reviewed and pertinent literature critically evaluated. The technology for appendectomy for an inflammatory process and an appendectomy for a neoplastic process were compared and contrasted.

RESULTS

A new surgical procedure called "radical appendectomy" was described and its merits for optimizing the management of an appendiceal neoplasm enumerated. The technology of radical appendectomy was described. The possible shortcomings that may be encountered in performing a new surgical methodology for appendectomy was presented and the results of a technically perfect radical appendectomy enumerated. The integration of a radical appendectomy with perioperative hyperthermic chemotherapy was described.

CONCLUSIONS

When a malignancy exists as the cause of appendiceal pathology, the radical appendectomy will provide the maximal amount of information required for optimal decisions regarding patient management.