Complicated Appendicitis in Adults: Experiences in a Tertiary Care Institution in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Appendicitis, characterised by inflammation of the appendix, is a common surgical emergency encountered worldwide, imposing a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Complicated appendicitis refers to cases where the inflammation progresses to perforation, abscess formation, or other intra-abdominal complications, often requiring more extensive surgical procedures, increased hospital stays, and heightened resource utilisation. This study aims to elucidate the factors predisposing to complicated appendicitis to create awareness, ameliorate its occurrence, and optimise patient outcomes. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted. Patients who had appendicectomies between January 2018 and December 2022 were included in the study. Data were collected and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26. Results: Out of the total of 92 participants, 45 (48.9%) were male, and 47 (51.1%) were female. The male: female ratio was 1:1.04. The majority of patients (92.4%) were between the ages of 10-39yrs with the highest age category being 20-29 years (48.9%). The mean duration of symptoms of patients with complicated cases was 6 days (range: 1 – 21 days). In contrast, participants with uncomplicated cases had a mean of 3 days (range: 8 hours to 8 days). Complicated cases had an average stay of 9 days (range: 5-19 days). Participants with uncomplicated cases had a mean duration of 4 days (range: 3-7 days) Conclusion: Complicated appendicitis exhibits distinct presentation patterns and outcomes. This study emphasises the importance of early recognition and prompt surgical intervention to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with complicated appendicitis. Keywords: complicated appendicitis, retrospective study, tertiary care institution, southern Nigeria, diagnostic imaging, surgical management, complications, outcomes.