[High time to make choice: preventive or curative appendectomy?]

The authors advocate prophylactic appendectomy in conditions of wide application of laparoscopic surgery, refer to literature data on the absence of life-important functions in appendix and any functional disturbances after appendectomy. Taking into account high rate of development and difficulties in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, favourable clinical and economical results of laparoscopic appendectomy, the authors suggest wider use of preventive removal of the appendix, especially in definite groups of population.