Recurrent and chronic appendicitis.

The records of 205 patients who underwent appendectomy were reviewed to determine the incidence of recurrent and chronic appendicitis. Twenty-one patients (10 per cent) met the criteria for diagnosis of recurrent appendicitis. Three patients (1.5 per cent) had a diagnosis of chronic appendicitis based upon clinical history and pathologic findings of lymphocytic or eosinophilic infiltration of the appendiceal wall. The diagnosis of recurrent or chronic appendicitis should be considered in patients presenting with recurrent pain of the right lower abdominal quadrant.