Heather F. Smith, PhD, associate professor at Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, has studied the evolution of gastrointestinal traits across different animal species. Her new research , published in the journal Comptes Rendus Palevol , analyzed the presence or absence of an appendix in different mammals.
Furthermore, the appendix almost never disappeared from a lineage once it appeared. This suggests that the organ remains for a reason, she says—an adaptive purpose. But they did make one interesting discovery: Species who had an appendix tend to have higher concentrations of lymphoid tissue in their cecum, a pouch that connects the small and large intestine.
This type of tissue can play a role in immunity, and can also stimulate growth of healthy gut bacteria. So what does this mean for people who have had their appendix removed? Luckily, not much. In some cases, your doctor might try to avoid surgery altogether. A recent review of research published in the British Medical Journal found that antibiotics might be the best treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis.
Using antibiotics rather than surgery appears to lower the risk of complications by at least 31 percent. It appears to be a safe and effective option for uncomplicated appendicitis. Your doctor can use imaging techniques to learn if your appendicitis is uncomplicated or requires surgery.
If you have an appendectomy, your doctor should teach you how to take care of yourself afterward. It may take a few weeks or longer to recover, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Ask your doctor when you can expect to resume normal activities. An appendectomy can help treat an acute problem, but it might raise your risk of other issues later on. According to researchers in the journal PLoS One , appendectomy might also raise your risk of developing colorectal cancer, particularly rectal cancer.
Ask your doctor for more information about your specific condition, treatment options, and outlook. They can help you understand the potential benefits and risks of an appendectomy. An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix. Learn about the appendectomy procedure, risks, and recovery.
Researchers say in some less serious cases of appendicitis antibiotics can help avoid surgery to remove the appendix. Appendicitis is an inflammation of your appendix, in the lower right side of your abdomen, that requires immediate treatment.
Some symptoms can be…. Appendix cancer occurs when healthy cells become abnormal and grow rapidly. Appendix cancer is rare, but there are successful treatment options…. In addition, the appendix has been successfully fashioned into a makeshift replacement for a diseased ureter, allowing urine to flow from the kidneys to the bladder.
As a result, the appendix, once regarded as a nonfunctional tissue, is now regarded as an important 'back-up' that can be used in a variety of reconstructive surgical techniques. It is no longer routinely removed and discarded if it is healthy. Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options.
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