Underwent Interval Appendectomy Research Articles

Appendiceal abscess revisited.

Appendiceal abscess developed in 2% of 2,621 patients with acute appendicitis seen between 1962 and 1976. While representing a commendable decline in frequency from earlier studies, in view of the demonstrated prolonged delay in seeking medical care, further decreases in incidence could be affected by increased patient education. Sixty-one of 68 patients underwent surgical drainage of the abscess, with a 28% complication rate. Interval appendectomy was performed in 42 cases, with a 19% complication rate. Two patients (3%) died. These rates do no differ appreciably from those reported during the preantibiotic era. Recurrent appendicitis developed in only one of 13 patients not undergoing interval appendectomy during a follow-up period averaging five years. Interval appendectomy should be withheld only in those poor-risk patients in whom the 10% to 20% incidence of recurrent appendicitis seems the smaller risk.

Resolution of the appendiceal mass in Nigerian Igbos.

Appendicitis is reputed to be rare or unknown in African communities, but this is not true of the Igbos of Nigeria, West Africa. This paper reports the histologic features of appendices from eight Igbo patients who underwent interval appendectomy two to six months after conservative treatment for appendiceal masses that resolved satisfactorily. Resolution was complete histologically in the two children in the series. In five adult patients, one or more sections of the appendix contained residual inflammation or luminal obliteration. In the remaining adult patient, schistosomiasis coexisted with both inflammation and obliteration.