Is Incidental Appendectomy Necessary during Radical Cystectomy?

Vol. 69, No. 3, 2002

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 36 KB)

Original Paper

Is Incidental Appendectomy Necessary during Radical Cystectomy?
N.P. Gupta, G. Nabi, A.K. Hemal, P.N. Dogra, A. Seth, M. Aron

Department of Urology and Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

Address of Corresponding Author

Urol Int 2002;69:181-183 (DOI: 10.1159/000063948)

Key Words

Carcinoma urinary bladder
Radical cystectomy
Incidental appendectomy

Abstract

Objective: To find out the incidence of acute appendicitis leading to acute abdominal pain and necessitating appendectomy in the follow-up of patients after radical cystectomy and urinary diversions. Methods: A prospective 160 consecutive radical cystectomy patients with urinary diversion in whom appendectomy was not done between January 1991 and June 2001 were reviewed for the incidence of acute appendicitis. Ages ranged between 26 and 73 years. There were 143 males and 17 females. 120 patients had ileal conduit, 20 sigmoid neobladder, 5 continent urinary diversion, and 15 ureterosigmoidostomy as urinary diversion. Each patients was followed up regularly till death or last follow-up. The follow-up ranged between 4 months and 10 years (mean 6 years). Results: Intestinal obstruction (11%) and acute pyelonephritis (16%) were the most common causes of acute abdominal pain. The remaining causes include sigmoid neobladder perforation (0.6%), parastomal hernia (0.6%), urinary retention due to mucus (1.8%) and renal colic (1.8%). In all patients, diagnosis was easily made and they were managed accordingly. None of the patients had acute appendicitis requiring appendectomy on follow-up. Conclusion: Incidental appendectomy is not required during radical cystectomy as the risk of subsequent appendicitis is extremely low.

Author Contacts

Prof. N.P. Gupta
Professor and Head, Department of Urology
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
New Delhi-29 (India)
Tel. +91 11 6852750, Fax +91 11 6862663, E-Mail narmadagupta@hotmail.com

Article Information

Received: Received: August 16, 2001
Accepted after revision: February 13, 2002
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 13

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