Is non-emergency appendectomy still ok?

[JordanN]

Is removal of a non-inflammed appendix still reccommended due to its potential nature of being a lymphatic organ? Also, is it true people with a removed appendix have a higher chance of getting chron's disease?

I don't want to face the risk of my appendix bursting in the future so I rather have it out then be paranoid my whole life.

 

[zhermes]

That is ridiculous. You should not get your appendix removed because you're worried about it sometime becoming inflamed. People in non-3rd world countries (virtually) never die of appendicitis.

Recent studies are showing that the appendix does have functions, although non-vital ones. Generally, you should hold on to any part of your body that you don't imminently need to remove.

 

[Proton Soup]

maybe talk to someone about the paranoia. even if the appendix were gone, some other fear might replace it.

 

[ChrisJesMD]

Don't have an appendectomy unless you actually have to, the appendix, even if not vital, is still present for a reason.
Being Internal and not surgical, I am as a rule opposed to any surgical procedures that are not strictly necesary.

Christopher Jespersen
MD