Is it necessary to perform appendicectomy in the middle of the night in children?

ABSTRACT

To compare between the complications after appendicectomy for patients whom operated upon within six hours from admission and those observed overnight and who had appendicectomy 6-18h after admission. This study included 1390 Patients-902<450boys> operated on within six hours and 388<190>boys operated on 6-18 hours after admission. Diagnoses included acute appendicitis in 325<72%> Patients perforated appendix in 8l,and normal appendix 45<10%> in the group operated on within six hours and 169<69%>, 50<21%>and 25<10%> in the group whose operation was delayed. Although early appendicectomy remains the treatment of choice it can be safely postponed overnight without increasing morbidity and mortality