The Epidemiology of Appendicitis and Appendectomy in South Korea: National Registry Data

Abstract

BackgroundAppendicitis is one of the most frequent acute surgical conditions of the abdomen, and appendectomy is one of the most commonly performed operations in the world. However, epidemiological data on appendicitis have not been reported for South Korean or East Asian populations.MethodsWe analyzed the epidemiological features and lifetime risk of appendicitis and appendectomy in South Korea using data collected for the national health insurance database from 2005 through 2007.ResultsAppendectomy was performed in 59.70% of inpatients diagnosed with appendicitis. The overall incidences of appendicitis, total appendectomy, and perforated appendectomy were 22.71, 13.56, and 2.91 per 10 000 population per year, respectively. The incidence of appendicitis and appendectomy showed clear seasonality, with a peak in summer. The standardized lifetime risks of appendicitis and appendectomy were constant from 2005 through 2007. A life table model suggests that the lifetime risk of appendicitis is 16.33% for males and 16.34% for females, and that the lifetime risk of appendectomy is 9.89% for males and 9.61% for females.ConclusionsAs compared to results obtained in research on Western populations, appendicitis and appendectomy had a similar perforation rate and seasonality, but a higher overall incidence, in South Koreans. Between 2005 and 2007, the incidence of appendicitis and appendectomy was constant. Overall, an estimated 15 incidental appendectomies are performed to prevent 1 inpatient with suspected appendicitis, and 26 incidental appendectomies are performed to prevent 1 appendectomy. Incidental appendectomy may have greater preventive value in Koreans.

Epidemiologic Features of Appendicitis

“…This is a consistent finding in almost all publications on the subject regardless of the population studied (Hale, et al, 1997;Lee JH, et al, 2010;Smink, et al, 2005;Uba, et al, 2006). As discussed earlier, the lymphoid follicles are most developed in this age group.…”

“…This perspective may offer an explanation as to why the incidence of appendicitis is low not only in Africa but also in other developing countries in Latin America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The prediction of an increase in the incidence of appendicitis in emerging economies with rapid industrialization, urbanization and higher standards of living maybe the explanation for the recent observation of a high incidence of appendicitis in South Korea with 227 cases per 100,000 people (Lee JH, et al 2010). This figure is more than 12 times the rate in Ghana (Ohene-Yeboah & Abantanga, 2009).…”

Analsis of the risk factors for child appendicitis

“…Ancak AA'da olduğu kadar bariz bir fark görül-memiştir. [13,15] Çalışmamızda erkeklerde daha sıktı. Yaş ile PA oranları arasında küçük değişiklikler görüldü.…”

Comparison Between Delayed Primary Closure and Immediate Primary Closure of Abdominal Incisions in Patients With Septic Peritonitis.

“…postoperative complication postoperatively followed appendectomy (5), particularly after complicated cases like gangrenous or ruptured appendicitis (4).SSI has several drawbacks e.g. prolonged hospital stays, readmission after primary discharge, prolonged nursing care and antibiotic therapy.…”

“…It has been noted that the method of skin closure is the most important risk factor which influence the occurrence of postoperative SSI (2). The rate of SSI in cases of intra-abdominal sepsis is about 40% of all cases with peritonitis (4). DPC of abdominal incisions was the commonest management for peritonitis (6), and is recommended by many standard textbooks (7), but it has some disadvantages as more patient discomfort during performance of dressing and increasing costs of treatment in comparison to primary closure (PC) (8).…”