Interval appendectomy in adults: A necessary evil?

Abstract

The management of appendiceal mass remains a matter of major controversy in the current literature. Currently, initial nonoperative management followed by interval appendectomy is favored over immediate appendicectomy. However, the necessity of doing an interval appendectomy has been questioned - is it a necessary evil? The present review revisits the above controversy, evaluates the current literature, assesses the need for interval appendectomy in adults, and provides recommendations.

Keywords

• Appendectomy
• appendiceal mass
• appendicectomy
• interval appendectomy
• phlegmon