A STUDY ON ACUTE APPENDICITIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is a frequent surgical emergency that causes considerable morbidity and death globally. Accurate diagnosis remains difficult, sometimes leading to unneeded procedures. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical profile acute appendicitis and complications of acute appendectomy in a tertiary care hospital.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study was conducted among 50 patients diagnosed as acute appendicitis in tertiary care hospital. Age, sex, clinical profile, and complications after surgery were all documented. All patients underwent appendectomy and follow up was done postoperatively.
RESULTS: In this study, all patients had reported Abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting were the predominant presenting symptom for 40 (80%) cases. 66% had pain originating in and around the umbilicus, 26% in the right iliac fossa. Tenderness was the predominant clinical sign seen in all patients of acute abdomen. Rebound tenderness was seen in 26 patients (33.33 %). Superficial surgical site infections occurred in 4% of cases. Intra‐abdominal collection in 2% of cases and complete wound dehiscence with intra‐ abdominal collection in 2% of cases.
CONCLUSION: Acute appendicitis placesa major burden on emergency surgical services. The majority of patients undergo successful appendectomy, despite the challenges associated with diagnosis. Enhanced use of imaging techniques and meticulous intraoperative evaluation lead to positive results.