Complications of acute appendicitis: a review of 120 cases

To find out the frequency of complications of acute appendicitis. A retrospective study was conducted at surgical unit-I and III, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana. Case records of patients who were admitted with complications of appendicitis from June 2004 to May 2007 were examined and data analysed. Most common complications of appendicitis were appendicular mass [38.3%] followed by appendicular perforation and peritonitis [37.5%], appendicular abscess [10%], gangrene of appendix [11.6%] and intestinal obstruction [2.5%]. Majority [66.6%] of the cases were operated while 33.3% were treated by conservative measures. Appendicular mass and perforation were the main complications of untreated acute appendicitis. Complications of appendicitis usually result due to delay in diagnosis and treatment