Somashekhar V. Hiremath1
CONTEXT
Appendicitis is the one of the most common emergencies of the acute abdomen encountered by the clinicians; peritonitis is the common cause due to appendicular perforation. Ultrasonography of abdomen is the preferred method of diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The study is done to diagnose acute appendicitis in a tertiary care hospital to ascertain early diagnosis prevalent in this part of the country, which might differ from other studies.
AIM
To ascertain prevalence, presentation and management of appendicitis in this part of India in a tertiary care government hospital with provisional diagnosis of appendicitis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Cases of acute abdomen, clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis admitted in KIMS Hospital, Hubli, a tertiary care government hospital, from January 2014 to January 2015 for materials of this study. 100 cases have been taken for study; cases included in this study are acute appendicitis, appendicular abscess; method used is USG abdomen, a simple diagnostic tool.
RESULTS
In present study, 100 cases of acute abdomen with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis were taken and laparotomy was done for 98 cases and two cases of appendicular abscess. Youngest patient was 7 years old and oldest was 65 years. Peak incidence between 11 to 30 years of age group and male to female ratio is 3:2. Postoperative wound infection was a common complication in 21 cases and retention of urine was noticed in 7 cases, and there was a death in one case due to septicaemia.
CONCLUSION
Acute appendicitis is a second most common indication for early laparotomy in KIMS Hospital, Hubli, first being perforative peritonitis. Acute appendicitis is common between 11 to 30 years of age group, early diagnosis and intervention is required to prevent appendicular perforation and its complications. Diagnosis of acute appendicitis is to be done in patients presenting with atypical pain, absence of vomiting does not rule out appendicitis. Anorexia is an important symptom and fever is late presentation. Economic and early diagnostic tool is USG of the abdomen and sometimes diagnostic laparoscopy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance image do help in concluding the diagnosis.
