RESUMEN
Retrospective study for patients who underwent appendectomy, for appendicitis in El-Thoura Teaching Hospital, EL-beida-Libya. between January to October 2005 to evaluate the affect of the age, and duration of the symptoms on appendicular perforation. A total of 176 patients; 100[57%] males and 76[43%] females with age ranged from 2 to 60 years [mean 22.7 years], presented with right iliac fossa [RIF] pain [100%], anorexia [86.9%], nausea [85.8%] and vomiting [61.9%]. RIF tenderness in [100%]and abdominal rigidity in [55.7%] of patients. Overall appendicular perforation rate was [18.8%] and tend to be higher in children less than 10 years and in adults above 50 years. also perforation rate increase with increasing time interval from onset of the symptoms to time of the operation. The age, late presentation and delay in time of operation are the most risk factors for appendicular perforation