What is the most common emergency surgery in the US?

Appendectomy is identified as the most common emergency surgery in the United States primarily due to the prevalence of acute appendicitis, an urgent condition that often necessitates surgical intervention. Acute appendicitis typically presents with abdominal pain, fever, and potential complications such as perforation if not treated promptly. As appendicitis can affect individuals across a wide age range and tends to require immediate surgical resolution to prevent serious complications, appendectomy is frequently performed in emergency settings.

While cholecystectomy, hernia repair, and colonoscopy are important surgical procedures, they do not match the frequency of emergency surgeries performed for acute appendicitis. Cholecystectomy, although common, is frequently performed electively for gallbladder issues rather than as an emergency. Hernia repairs can also be urgent; however, they are often planned as elective surgeries. Colonoscopy is typically a diagnostic procedure and not a surgical intervention, further distinguishing it from the other options listed. Thus, the high incidence of appendicitis leading to appendectomies solidifies its position as the most prevalent emergency surgical procedure in the U.S.