PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Why is it not recommended to routinely remove the appendix?

1. It can lead to liver failure

2. It serves as a backup for failing organs

3. It produces important hormones

4. It has no known function

The correct answer is: It serves as a backup for failing organs

The option stating that the appendix serves as a backup for failing organs is not supported by current evidence and understanding of anatomical and physiological functions. The prevailing view in the medical community is that the appendix does not have a critical role in organ function or as a backup. In fact, while the appendix may have some minor immunological functions, its exact role is still a subject of ongoing research. It's often considered a vestigial organ, meaning that while it may have had a function in our evolutionary past, it is not essential for survival in modern humans. Routine removal of the appendix, known as an appendectomy, was historically more common due to concerns about appendicitis and its complications. However, contemporary understandings emphasize that, in the absence of significant disease, the risks associated with surgery may outweigh the potential benefits, confirming that the appendix is generally benign in individuals who don't experience appendicitis. Other options, such as a connection to liver failure, the production of hormones, or asserting that it has no known function, do not accurately reflect current medical knowledge or clinical practice regarding the appendix.