Appendicitis in the elderly: learn to discern the untypical picture.
Symptoms and signs of appendicitis in the elderly may be vague and referable to other abdominal diseases. Diagnosis is often delayed or missed, leading to a prolonged preoperative period and increased morbidity and mortality. In this study of elderly appendicitis patients, we noted a high incidence of ruptured appendixes. At least 80% of these patients could have been operated on earlier.
D000368:Aged; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D003237:Connecticut; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications