ABSTRACT
Ninety-four adult patients undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis were prospectively studied during a 2-year period. Patients were divided into retrocecal (group 1; n = 27 [29%]) and anterior (group 2; n = 67 [71%]) groups according to the position of the appendix. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in duration of symptoms, presenting signs and symptoms, and initial white blood cell count. Furthermore, retrocecal appendicitis was not associated with a higher rate of perforation or increased morbidity. We conclude that the retrocecal position of the appendix does not alter the presentation of appendicitis.
Subject(s)
Appendicitis/physiopathology , Appendix/pathology , Cecum/pathology , Acute Disease , Adult , Bacterial Infections , Female , Humans , Intestinal Perforation/physiopathology , Male , Prospective Studies , Rupture, Spontaneous , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Recent studies have supported an emphasis on gingival bleeding indices for detection of inflammation. The purposes of the present study were: (1) to evaluate the relationships between the time necessary for stimulated gingival bleeding to occur and both gingival fluid flow and Löe's gingival index, and (2) to develop a clinical index based on gingival bleeding time. In the first part of the study, the elapsed time for gingival bleeding to first occur after sulcular stimulation was correlated with the gingival index and fluid flow on 150 gingival units. A high correlation was found between bleeding time with both the gingival index and exudate flow. A bleeding time index based on a scattergram of the data obtained in part I of the study was then formulated and evaluated in a similar fashion on an additional 172 gingival units. Results indicate a high correlation between the bleeding time index and the other indices. It is concluded that the bleeding time index may be used by itself as an accurate and objective clinical tool to evaluate gingival inflammation.
