Early discharge following open appendicectomy — a Nigerian experience

Abstract

A prospective study of 270 patients who had appendicectomy done between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2001, was done to determine the safety of discharging fit patients within 48 hours of surgery. Their ages ranged from 8 to 65 years (mean 23.6) with a male to female ratio of 1:2.2. Two hundred and fifty six (94.8%) patients were fit for discharge within 48 hours. Of these, 36 (13.3%) could not be discharged for social reasons. Fourteen (5.2%) were considered unfit for discharge; two (0.9%) patients were re-admitted for abdominal colic and postoperative intestinal obstruction respectively. Complications were limited to wound infection in 9 (3.3%) cases. We conclude that the practice of early discharge after routine appendicectomy is safe and the conventional practice of prolonged stay is wasteful and unnecessary.


Key words: Appendicectomy, hospitalisation, early discharge


[Jnl Medicine & Biomedical Res. Vol.1(2) 2002: 51-54]