Critical review of acute Appendicitis in females

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of emergency abdominal surgery worldwide. The most difficult group for diagnosis are children, elderly and above all the women of child bearing age. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the diagnostic accuracy based on clinical findings and incidence of negative appendicectomy in female patients. This prospective study was conducted in West Surgical Unit, Mayo Hospital, Lahore for the period of one year. One hundred adult females underwent appendicectomy during this period in emergency department. Majority of the patients were in their 2nd and 3rd decade of life. 67% patients had uncomplicated acute appendicitis, 23% had complicated acute appendicitis and 10% had normal appendix. The highest percentage of complicated cases were seen in patients over 50 (60%) and 8 out of 10 patients with negative appendicectomy presented between 12-30 years. Most common (67%) position of appendix was retrocaecal. Incidence of negative appendicectomy in this study is quite low.