Abstract

Objectives: To describe the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of acute appendicitis and complications.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of patients admitted for acute appendicitis and complications at the University Hospital of Bouake, from January 2010 to December 2018.

Results: We collected 1552 cases of acute appendicitis and complications, which represents 30% of patients admitted to the service. The average age of the patients was 23 ± 9. We noted 56% of men (n=869) and 44% (n=683) of women. The average delay of consultation was 3 days (range 1 and 8 days). The reason for consultation was mainly pain in the right iliac fossa. Abdominal ultrasound was the main complementary examination performed in 1273 patients, i.e. 82% of cases. Acute appendicitis was uncomplicated in 1140 patients, i.e. 73% of the patients. They were complicated in 412 patients, i.e. 27% of cases. Among the complicated forms, 240 cases (14%) of appendicular peritonitis, 119 cases (8%) of appendicular abscesses and 52 cases (3%) of appendicular plastrons were recorded. The appendix was catarrhal, phlegmonous, gangrenous, and perforated in 62% (n=962), 20% (n=310), 13% (n=202), and 5% (n=78) of cases, respectively. All appendicular plastrons had initial medical treatment. All appendicitis cases underwent appendectomy by laparotomy. The average duration hospitalization was 2 days (range 1 and 15 days). The postoperative course was simple in 1151 (98%) patients. Suppuration of the surgical site was observed in 28 patients, i.e. 1.8% of cases. We noted 2 deaths, i.e. a case fatality rate of 0.2%.

Conclusion: Acute appendicitis is a frequent abdominal emergency. It is a condition that mainly affects adolescent and young adult males. The treatment of choice is surgical. The morbidity is dominated by parietal suppuration.

Keywords: Appendix; Young subject; Appendectomy