The influence of gender and use of barium enema on morbidity in acute appendicitis.

The records of 166 patients with appendicitis were analyzed by sex for time from presentation in the emergency department to surgery. Additionally, the effects of barium enema examinations on these times were noted. Our findings indicate that there was no significant delay in surgery based on gender (P = .42). However, those patients who had barium enema as part of their workup had significantly longer delays from presentation to surgery (P = .00005). These results support the notion that the most appropriate treatment for acute appendicitis is early diagnosis, a short preoperative resuscitation, and early surgical intervention. Barium enema is indicated only when the diagnosis is highly suspect and only if it can be carried out in a timely manner.