Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Endosc. Apr 16, 2024; 16(4): 187-192
Published online Apr 16, 2024. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v16.i4.187
Colonoscopy in the diagnosis and management of appendiceal disease
Yuan Gao, Bing Hu
Yuan Gao, Bing Hu, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology/Medical Engineering Integration Laboratory of Digestive Endoscopy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Gao Y and Hu B contributed to this paper; Hu B designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Gao Y contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript; Gao Y and Hu B contributed to the writing and editing of manuscript.
Supported by 135 Project for Disciplines of Excellence-Clinical Research Incubation Project, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 2020HXFH016.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Bing Hu, MD, Doctor, Editor-in-Chief, Full Professor, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology/Medical Engineering Integration Laboratory of Digestive Endoscopy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. hubing@wchscu.edu.cn
Received: January 3, 2024
Peer-review started: January 3, 2024
First decision: January 21, 2024
Revised: January 30, 2024
Accepted: March 7, 2024
Article in press: March 7, 2024
Published online: April 16, 2024
Processing time: 98 Days and 23.3 Hours
Abstract

In this editorial, we comment on the article published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. We focused on the understanding of appendiceal disease, and the various options for diagnosis and treatment via endoscopy. Some factors affecting the diagnosis and management of appendiceal diseases are also discussed. The existence of any organ has its natural rationality, and the appendix is such a magical organ. A growing number of experts and scholars have gradually come to a consensus that the appendix is not a useless evolutionary relic. There are many lymphocytes and lymph nodes in the appendix wall, which has a strong immune function, and this function is particularly important for children and adolescents. Many intestinal probiotics in the appendix are very helpful for maintaining the balance of the intestinal flora. With the continuous progress of endoscopic technology, endoscopic treatment involving preservation of the appendix has shown great advantages over surgery. In the diagnosis of appendiceal inflammation and neoplasms, colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde appendicography and choledochoscopy help assess conditions of the appendix. Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy, abscess drainage under colonoscopy, fenestration of abscess under colonoscopy, and endoscopic or natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery resection of appendiceal neoplasms are safe and effective endoscopic treatments for appendiceal disease. New breakthroughs in the application of endoscopy in the appendix are expected to occur in the near future.

Keywords: Appendicitis; Appendiceal neoplasms; Colonoscopy; Endoscopic ultrasonography

Core Tip: With the popularization of the concept of minimally invasive surgery and in-depth research on the function of the appendix, methods for preserving the appendix have emerged, and endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of appendiceal diseases have gradually become the first-line treatments. We summarize the current state of colonoscopic management of appendiceal disease, with an emphasis on reconsideration of the function of the appendix and endoscopic treatment. We also put forward our own views on how to improve the diagnosis and treatment of appendiceal diseases.