Complications of appendicitis in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency. An appendicectomy is considered the gold standard of treatment for acute appendicitis because of the potential risk of disease progression to perforation, gangrene and peritonitis. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of complications in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis.Methods: A total number of 70 patients were studied with various symptoms of acute appendicitis and their complications, all patients were presented to PESIMSR, Kuppam from December 2016 to June 2018. Clinical assessment , investigations like WBC counts, X-ray erect abdomen, USG abdomen and pelvis and management were recorded. The incidence of complications were studied. The cases of appendicular mass was treated conservatively, except for those who do not respond to antibiotics.Results: During this study period, among 70 patients aged between 5-45 years, male were 53 and female patients were 17 and 11 patients belong to pediatric age group and 59 patients aged more than 18 years. The commonest complication was postoperative surgical site infection (20%) found in perforated appendix patients in our study. Around 76% of the patients developed complications. Among the female patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, appendicular perforation being the most common complication and it was the postoperative surgical site infections in males.Conclusions: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency. Open appendicectomy is the most commonly done procedure in our hospital. The commonest complication is postoperative surgical site infection (20%) found in perforated appendix patients in our study.