Rates of colorectal cancer/polyps detection in luminal investigations post appendicectomy in patients over 40 years

Abstract

Background: Acute Appendicitis is the most frequent indication for emergency abdominal surgeries worldwide. It occurs most frequently in the 2nd and 3rd decades of life, being more common in patients between 10-19 years. Luminal obstruction is the primary aetiology with lymphoid follicular hyperplasia the most common cause in the young while faecoliths, fibrosis and neoplasia are seen in older patients. Studies have shown a relationship between patients above 40 years whom present with acute appendicitis having underlying colonic cancers most especially caecal cancers with increasing age seen as a significant risk factor.