APPENDICITIS IN UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL, NIGERIA.

UNLABELLED:

Background

Acute appendicitisis themost common cause of acute abdomen worldwide with increasing incidence in developing countries. The diagnosis is mainly clinical and wound infection remains the most common post-operative complication.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pattern of presentation of acute appendicitis.

DESIGN

Hospital based retrospective study.

SETTING

Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

SUBJECTS: Patients with histologically confirmed acute appendicitis.

RESULTS

A total of 130 patients who had appendicectomy for acute appendicitis were included in the study. There were 62 males and 68 females (M:F1:1.1). Their ages ranged from 14 to 67 years with a peak age incidence of 21-30 years. The highest incidence was in the month of July while the lowest was in February. All the patients presented with right iliac fossa pain and tenderness. Post-operative complication rate was 10% and wound infection was the most common (7.7%).

CONCLUSION

The presentation of acute appendicitis in UPTH is similar to that in other parts of the West African sub-region but with a slight female preponderance in our centre. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention is the key to successful management.