Pattern and Outcome of Acute Appendicitis: Observational Prospective Study from a Teaching Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen surgery. Despite its commonness and the abundance of literature on the subject, its diagnosis remains challenging. Delay in intervention results in complications of the process leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Methodology An observational prospective cohort study was conducted, and all patients who had undergone appendectomy for a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis were included in the study. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Results Half of the study participants were in the age range of 18–25 years with male preponderance (63.9%). The mean duration of symptoms was 51.3 hours. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (98.2%), while right lower quadrant tenderness was the most common sign (93.4%). Abdominal ultrasound was done in 81% of the study population with a sensitivity and specificity of 95.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Three-quarters (74.4%) of the patients had uncomplicated appendicitis, while 1.8% had a grossly normal appendix. None of the appendectomy specimens were sent for pathology. The mean hospital stay was 3.2 days. The morbidity and mortality rate were 3.8% and 0.4%, respectively. Conclusion Acute appendicitis was the most common emergency surgical procedure in the study period. Abdominal ultrasound was used in the majority of the patients as supplementary imaging for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Uncomplicated appendicitis took the major share of the intraoperative finding leading to acceptable morbidity and mortality rates.

Seasonal Variations and the Associated Factors of Acute Appendicitis at a Tertiary Hospital: A Case of SPHMMC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…Dagebo et al at St. Luke Catholic Hospital in Woliso, Ethiopia, reported a 10.4-day duration for complications compared to a 6.6-day duration for simple cases (35). The study found that complicated cases (27.6%) typically present after 48 hours (p > 0.00), with illness duration significantly influencing intraoperative findings, similar to the study done in our hospital (50), in Woliso, Oromia, Ethipoia (35).…”

“…The study found that the role of temperature and relative humidity in seasonal variation was weaker, similar to the research conducted in Bahrain (10). typically present after 48 hours (p > 0.00), with illness duration significantly influencing intraoperative findings, similar to the study done in our hospital (50), in Woliso, Oromia, Ethipoia (35).…”

“…The postoperative hospital stay averaged 2.47 days, slightly shorter than previous studies’ 3.2 days done at our hospital (50). Postoperative hospital stays are significantly influenced by disease clinical stage (P = 0.000), with complicated cases requiring longer stays (3.36 days) compared to simple cases (1.2 days), a similar finding in India (7).…”

Detection of Enterobius vermicularis in archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) appendectomy blocks: It’s potential to compare genetic variations based on mitochondrial DNA (cox1) gene

“…At the beginning of the 21st century, the incidence of appendicitis was seen to grow in newly industrialized countries. Moreover, mortality, morbidities, and the imposed economic impact associated with appendicitis have been reported in western countries [ 8 ]. Fits described appendicitis first-time more than 100 years ago, and 561,000 appendectomies per year were conducted between 1979–1984 in the United States, representing that different etiological agents might have had hands in this regard [ 9 ].…”

Factors associated with immediate postoperative pulmonary complications after Appendectomies under general anesthesia: A retrospective analysis

“…Acute appendicitis is among the most common causes of emergency abdominal surgery. 1 Worldwide, the total pooled incidence of appendicitis or appendectomy is around 100–150 per 100,000 person-years. 2 Recent studies suggest a rise in the prevalence of appendicitis in developing countries between the early teenage years and the late 40s.…”