[Incidental appendectomy: standard or unjustified risk?]

Incidental appendectomy is the surgical removal of a macroscopically non-diseased appendix during another primary surgical procedure. The benefits and risks of this surgery give rise to controversy. Incidental appendectomy is contraindicated in patients whose conditions are unstable, with previous diagnosis of Crohn's disease, inaccessible appendix, planned radiation treatment, immunosuppression, vascular grafts or other intraabdominal foreign material. It should be conditional on primary disease, surgical technique (open vs. laparoscopic) and age of the patient. Independently from the surgical technique used, incidental appendectomy should be evaluated in healthy patients younger than 25 years old. In any case, preoperative informed consent is necessary.