Appendectomy and Crohn's Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Crohn's Disease is a chronic and idiopathic inflammatory process with transmural invasion that can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. The etiopathogenesis of this pathology is not fully understood and studies have been carried out to understand the influence of different kind of factors on its development, including appendectomy. This monograph aims to address the possible existence of a link between appendectomy and Crohn's Disease, and the possible causes and clinical consequences of this association. Methods: This monograph was based on the research of original scientific articles in MEDLINE database via PubMed, restricted to articles in Portuguese and English during the period between 1991 and 2017. Results: Appendectomy seems positively associated with the development of Crohn's Disease, especially in the first years of surgery, regardless of whether or not there is inflammation of the appendix. In fact, the appendix plays important roles in gastrointestinal integrity, acting in the development of an adequate immune response, maintaining and regulating the intestinal flora. Conclusion: The appendix is important for intestinal homeostasis, preventing the development of certain pathologies. Its resection, regardless of whether or not there is an inflammation after surgery, increases the risk of Crohn's Disease and worsens the prognosis of this pathology, so appendectomy should be avoided in the absence of appendicitis.