BACKGROUNDThe existence of recurrent and chronic appendicitis is still doubted by many. This study is intended to study correlation of clinical findings, operative findings and the histopathological findings among the different {(acute and chronic (recurrent)} forms of appendicitis, to study the recurrence of appendicitis in patients with acute appendicitis who were treated non-surgically at first presentation, to compare the operative and histopathological findings in acute and chronic (recurrent) forms of appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 100 consecutive cases of suspected appendicitis who were admitted, investigated and treated were taken up for the study. Data related to the objectives of the study were collected. After detailed examination and investigations the clinical, sonological, operative and histopathological findings were correlated. RESULTS 1. Age group of patients ranged from 5 yrs. to 60 yrs. with a mean age of 25.35 yrs. with an S. D. of 9.3 yrs. 2. The sex distribution was almost equal with 49% males and 51% females. 3. Maximum occurrence of appendicitis was in the age group of 21 -30 yrs. 4. There was history suggestive of acute appendicitis in the past, which was managed non-surgically was present in 81% of the patients. 5. Right iliac fossa tenderness was the predominant sign present in 100% of patients. It was mildly tender in 55% of patients suggestive of a chronic (recurrent) form and moderate-to-severely tender in 45% of patients suggestive of an acute form of appendicitis. 6. Per-operatively, the appendix appeared non-inflamed in 57% of patients suggestive of a chronic (recurrent) form and inflamed in 43% of patients suggestive of an acute form of appendicitis. 7. The histopathological studies revealed chronic inflammatory cells in 63% of the resected specimens, suggestive of chronic appendicitis and acute inflammatory cells in 37% of the specimens suggestive of acute appendicitis. CONCLUSIONWe conclude that the Clinical findings, Operative findings and the Histopathological findings correlate with one another (P < 0.001). The surgeon's clinical and operative findings have specificity of around 87.30% and 90.47% respectively. Hence, the diagnostic accuracy of the surgeon is directly dependent on the surgeon's expertise and there is no substitution for an experienced surgeon's judgement.