Childhood Acute Appenditis In Nnewi Nigeria

Abstract

Background: a retrospective study to establish how common acute appendicitis is in the peadiatric age in our environment as well as establish justification if any for incidental appedicectomy in children in our environment

Patients and Methods

Retrospective study of patients aged 15 years and below who had appendicetomy in a 6 years period

Information from the surgical wards and theatres were to trace the case note. The following were extracted and analyzed bio data, mode of presentation: grade of operating surgeon, operative as well as histological findings

Results

There were 28 appendicectomies out 1248 surgical operation performed in patient 15 years and below. There were 14 males and 14 females. Commonest mode of presentation was abdominal pain which was present in all the patient. The youngest was aged 8 years

Thirteen (2 grossly inflamed; 5 moderately inflamed and 6 mildly inflamed) were sent for histology and 5 ( 2 grossly inflamed ; 3 moderately inflamed ) were confirmed as being pathologic acute appendicitis

Conclusion

Acute appendicitis is not common in the paediatric age group in our environment and far more negative appendicectomies are performed

A scoring system for acute appendicitis in children in our environment is hereby advocated to reduce the incidence of negative appendectomy.

Key Words: Acute, appendicitis, children

Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.7(1) 2004: 11-14