Abstract

ADEFNA PEREZ, Radamés Isaac et al. Acute appendicitis in the elderly and the results of surgical treatment in a regional hospital. Rev Cubana Cir [online]. 2011, vol.50, n.3, pp.276-285. ISSN 0034-7493.

Introduction: the 55 % of the persons arriving to 60 years old will require at the least one operation and the 50% are urgent and within the leading causes is the acute appendicitis. Objective: to know the epidemiological and clinical features of the acute appendicitis in the elderly, to trying of improve the diagnosis and the results of surgical treatment in them. Methods: a retrospective, case series, descriptive and observational study was conducted from January,1, 2005 to December 31, 2008 in the "Miguel Enriquez" Clinical Surgical Hospital. All patients aged over 60 and operated on of acute appendicitis were included. Results: from all the symptoms there was predominance of abdominal pain, nauseas and vomiting. The typical pain predominated in the age group of 60-69 and according aging there was predominance of atypical pain. The figures of appendicular advanced inflammation: perforations (13.5 %), gangrene (13.5 %) and suppuration (21.1 %). Global morbidity was of 28.8 %. In present series there was not mortality. Conclusions: the appendicitis in elderly shows achievements in relation to treatment and results in our institution. The atypical presentations remain with a significant morbidity. It is necessary to take actions in the area of diagnosis and surgical treatment to achieve to improve still more the results.

Keywords : acute appendicitis; third age people; elderly; appendicectomy.

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