ABSTRACT
A prospective study with long-term follow-up was undertaken of 248 patients (137 males, median age 18 years (range 6-81 years), undergoing emergency appendicectomy during a 12-month period. Acute inflammation was present in 182 patients (73.4%) (males 86.1%, females 57.8%; P < 0.001). Before surgery, the positive predictive value of diagnostic accuracy was 82.0% (males 91.2%, females 67.7%). Delaying surgery did not significantly increase the proportion of perforated appendices (22.0%), hospital stay, or frequency of postoperative complications (overall 49.6%). Hospital complications were significantly more common among patients with a perforated appendix. There was no significant difference in the complication rate between patients with or without appendicitis while in hospital, during the first 18 months after operation or 8 years after operation. At 18 months, 17 of 238 patients (7.1%) continued to experience their original pain. After 8 years the original pain was still present in 10 of 155 patients (6.5%). Continued pain was more likely in patients having undergone removal of a normal appendix (P < 0.001)
Subject(s)
Appendectomy , Appendicitis/surgery , Postoperative Complications , Abdominal Pain , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Appendicitis/diagnosis , Child , Diagnostic Errors , Emergencies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Length of Stay , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Time FactorsSubject(s)
Appendectomy/methods , Adolescent , Appendicitis/surgery , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Time FactorsSubject(s)
Aneurysm/diagnosis , Duodenum/blood supply , Pancreas/blood supply , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Rupture, SpontaneousSubject(s)
Ceruletide/therapeutic use , Cholelithiasis/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
A simple device to control colostomy prolapse can be made of easily available materials. Use of the device is not intended as a substitute for operation except when an operation is contraindicated. The device should be used as a temporary measure until an operation can be performed.
Subject(s)
Colostomy , Equipment and Supplies/standards , Postoperative Complications/therapy , Aged , Female , HumansABSTRACT
The pattern and rate of gastric emptying have been studied in 16 patients before and after vagotomy and pyloroplasty. The rate of emptying, expressed as half life in minutes, was not greatly changed by operation. After operation, however, there was a rapid initial phase of emptying, particularly marked in patients who had post-vagotomy diarrhoea.