For patients with ulcerative colitis, an appendectomy may help reduce or eliminate symptoms. However, there is conflicting information on this subject, and further study is required.

The lining of your large intestine becomes inflamed when you have ulcerative colitis (UC), a kind of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Abdominal pain, the desire for a bowel movement immediately, and bloody diarrhea are some of the symptoms of UC. Medication and surgery are two possible treatment options for UC.

According to some studies, UC may be treated or its symptoms may be avoided with an appendectomy. Your appendix is surgically removed during an appendectomy.

As we examine the data supporting appendectomy as a treatment for UC, keep reading.

Can an appendectomy treat ulcerative colitis or its symptoms?

Your appendix is surgically removed during an appendectomy. Appendicitis, a medical emergency in which the appendix has grown inflamed and may rupture, is the most common reason for its performance.

Conventional treatments may not be effective for UC in certain individuals. Others may experience consequences that can necessitate bowel surgery, such as severe bleeding, intestinal perforation, or colon malignancy.

There is mixed evidence about appendectomy and UC results. An appendectomy may help some UC outcomes, according to some evidence, although other studies contradict this.

The timing of the appendectomy—whether it was performed before or following a UC diagnosis—has been the subject of studies.

Appendectomy before ulcerative colitis diagnosis

According to a 2002 cohort research, those who had an appendectomy before being diagnosed with UC had less active UC and were at a lower risk of having a colectomy—a procedure in which the colon is removed whole or in part—in the future.

A 2016 meta-analysis, however, discovered that the rate of colectomy was unaffected by appendectomy before diagnosis.

Appendectomy for appendicitis before the age of 20 and non-appendicitis-related appendectomy at any age were associated with a decreased chance of hospitalization and a lower risk of colectomy, according to a 2017 cohort analysis.

A 2022 meta-analysis, on the other hand, found that a decreased probability of colectomy was associated with an appendectomy performed before a UC diagnosis. However, it also discovered that the risk of colorectal cancer was increased by appendectomy before diagnosis.

Additionally, there was no correlation between a previous appendectomy and hospital admission rates, UC medication use, or the severity or progression of UC, according to the same meta-analysis.

Appendectomy after ulcerative colitis diagnosis

According to a 2004 study, hospital admission rates were unaffected by having an appendectomy following a UC diagnosis.

Furthermore, having an appendectomy after diagnosis did not affect the chance of a colectomy, according to the 2016 meta-analysis mentioned above.

On the other hand, the aforementioned 2017 cohort study discovered that the likelihood of colectomy was elevated when an appendectomy was performed for appendicitis following a UC diagnosis.

Appendectomy as a treatment for diagnosed UC is the subject of some new studies.

30 patients with treatment-resistant ulcerative colitis who underwent appendectomy were examined in a 2018 study. Following their appendectomy, 30% of the subjects saw a long-lasting clinical response, according to the study.

According to the preliminary findings of a 2024 study, treating UC with an appendectomy was connected with a decreased incidence of UC-related side effects. In comparison to traditional UC treatment, there was also a lower rate of colectomies.

According to a 2023 review, additional clinical studies are presently being conducted to look into the possibility of using appendectomy to treat UC that doesn’t improve with traditional therapies.

Can an appendectomy prevent ulcerative colitis?

People who have had an appendectomy for appendicitis may be less likely to develop ulcerative colitis (UC), according to some data.

Nevertheless, there is no evidence to suggest appendectomy as a means of preventing UC alone.

Age seems to play a significant role in the risk of UC and appendectomy. According to an earlier study, the risk of UC was decreased for those who underwent an appendectomy for appendicitis before the age of 20. This finding was corroborated by another 2009 investigation.

Nonetheless, some data suggests early-onset appendicitis, rather than the appendectomy itself, may contribute to a lower risk of UC.

A 2022 cohort study, for instance, discovered that a history of appendicitis in infancy, whether it was managed conservatively or with an appendectomy, was linked to a decreased risk of UC.

What are the risks or side effects of having an appendectomy for ulcerative colitis?

An appendectomy carries the same risk of consequences as any other surgery or procedure. These may consist of:

• infection
• bleeding
• blood clots
• intestinal blockages
• damage to surrounding organs or tissues
• stump appendicitis, a recurrence of appendicitis in the remaining part of the appendix
• a reaction to general anesthesia

According to the initial findings of a study on appendectomy as a treatment for ulcerative colitis, two individuals had difficulties with the procedure. They were an intestinal obstruction and a hematoma.

Who should consider getting an appendectomy for ulcerative colitis treatment and who should avoid it?

UC is not yet often treated with appendectomy. Its efficacy in treating or preventing UC symptoms requires more investigation.

If you get appendicitis after being diagnosed with UC, you might need to have an appendectomy.

Perhaps as part of a clinical trial, an appendectomy may be suggested if your UC has not been improving with traditional therapy.

Who should avoid it?

In general, persons who are unable to handle the procedure or general anesthesia are not advised to have an appendectomy.

Additionally, it might not be performed on patients who have serious blood coagulation issues.

Frequently asked questions about appendectomy for ulcerative colitis

What is the role of the appendix in ulcerative colitis?

More research is required to determine the precise function of the appendix in UC. The inflammation linked to UC is thought to be exacerbated by immune cells and bacteria present in the appendix.

Can an appendectomy cause bowel problems?

Yes. Although it is uncommon, intestinal blockage is one of the possible side effects of an appendectomy. Additionally, several studies have connected appendectomy to an increased risk of IBS.

Takeaway

There is conflicting evidence about appendectomy as a therapy for UC. Appendectomy has been shown to improve the prognosis for UC in certain trials, but not in others.

According to some preliminary research, appendectomy after diagnosis may lessen symptoms of ulcerative colitis, especially in patients whose condition doesn’t improve with standard therapies. However additional study is required.

A common treatment for UC is appendectomy. It might be used if you have extremely difficult-to-treat UC or appendicitis. It is important to discuss your treatment choices with your physician if you have UC.