Appendicular mass revisited

ABSTRACT

Management and timing of surgery for appendicular mass is controversial. To audit the management of appendicular mass in Khartoum Teaching Hospital. Analysis of demographic and clinical data of 280 patients in the period Jan 2000 through Dec 2006. Out of 280 patients 104 [37.5%] were in the third decade. 204 [72.9%] had pain for more than five days and 136 [48.6%] had temperature >37.5°C. Conservative management was successful in 156 [55.7%] patients. 25 [8.9%] patients had emergency surgery. 28 [10%] patients came for follow up but refused surgery. Mucocele of the appendix and carcinoma of the caecum were found each in one patient. Emergency surgery was difficult in eight patients with failure to remove the appendix in one of them and faecal fistula developed in two. The conservative method is safe. However, cancer caecum may be missed. In contrast emergency surgery led to faecal fistula in two patients