[The mobile cecum syndrome: appendectomy and cecopexy or only appendectomy?]

1159 patients underwent appendectomy via a McBurney incision from 1972 to 1983 at our institution. 115 patients (10%) had a mobile cecum syndrome (CMS) as defined by Nicole, without evidence of appendicitis or other pathologic findings at operation. 102 patients were followed up to 15 years after the operation. 82% of the 102 patients were free of symptoms at assessment. 36 patients underwent appendectomy and 63 appendectomy and cecopexy. The two cohorts were comparable with respect to sex, age at operation, duration of right lower abdominal pain, operative findings and length of follow-up. There was no significant difference in the postoperative result of patients with appendectomy alone and those with appendectomy and cecopexy. Moreover, we were not able to identify patients who may benefit from an additional cecopexy, on the basis of patient related factors or intraoperative findings.