The results of our clinical study, generally supported by the recent literature and a consensus of colorectal surgeons, indicate that an appendectomy can safely be performed in the presence of Crohn's ileitis. When fistulas do occur, they originate in the small bowel and not in the appendiceal stump. Non-granulomatous appendicitis does occur in the course of regional enteritis. The advantage of appendectomy in the face of regional enteritis is that it simplifies evaluation of abdominal pain in the future.