The role of appendectomy for mucinous ovarian neoplasms.

Abstract

To determine how frequently the appendix harbors pathology in women having surgery for mucinous neoplasms of the ovary and assess the associated morbidity. A retrospective chart review of patients operated on at our institution with the diagnosis of a mucinous neoplasm of the ovary or appendix. A total of 327 cases were identified. Of the 309 women with mucinous ovarian neoplasms, 197 (64%) were benign, 68 (22%) low malignancy potential, and 44 (14%) were invasive. Of 155 appendectomies performed, only 1 metastatic low grade mucinous appendiceal tumor was found, but this appendix was grossly abnormal. There was no association between wound complications and appendectomy. When a grossly normal appendix is removed during surgery for a mucinous ovarian neoplasm without evidence of pseudomyxoma peritonei, no primary or metastatic mucinous appendiceal tumors are found.