Appendicitis in Children: Audit of outcome in Kosti-Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Appendicitis is the most common cause of the acute surgical abdomen in children. It accounts for approximately one-third of childhood hospital admissions for abdominal pain. Objectives: To audit the outcome of management of children presenting with abdominal pain suspicious of acute appendicitis. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 67 children admitted and treated for acute appendicitis in Kosti Teaching Hospital from January 2005 to December 2007. Symptoms, signs, details of management and results of follow up were studied. Results: Boys comprised 45 (67.16%). Age ranged from 4 – 15 years (mean 11.13± 2.59) years. 44(65.67%) of children had acute, 16(23.88%) perforated appendicitis, 3(4.48%) appendiceal mass,appendix single patient (1.49%) had appendiceal abscess and 3(4.48%) normal. Five patients (7.46%) developed postoperative complications but no mortality was encountered.
Conclusion: In spite of advances in means of diagnosis appendicitis remains a clinical diagnosis with excellent outcome if diagnosed and treated promptly.

Key words: Appendicitis, appendicular abscess, appendicular mass.