Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Women Without Identifiable Pathology Undergoing Laparoscopy for Chronic Pelvic Pain

OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of appendectomy in women undergoing laparoscopy for chronic pelvic pain without identifiable pathology. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included women aged 15 to 50 years who underwent laparoscopic surgery for chronic pelvic pain without identifiable pathology. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: women who underwent appendectomy and women who had not undergone appendectomy at laparoscopic surgery. Postoperative pain was assessed at 6-week follow-up and by subsequent mailed questionnaire. RESULTS Women who underwent appendectomy (n = 19) were significantly more likely to report improvement in pain at 6-week follow-up than women who did not undergo appendectomy (n = 76) (93% vs 16%; P < .001). Thirty-six patients (38%) responded to the questionnaire at a median of 4.2 years after surgery, when the median change (improvement) in reported pain was greater in the appendectomy group than in the nonappendectomy group. CONCLUSION Appendectomy is effective therapy for patients with chronic pelvic pain of unknown etiology who are undergoing laparoscopy.