title: [Acute appendicitis].
abstract: The appendectomy rate in the Federal Republic of Germany has decreased considerably over the past 20 years; in Hannover it has declined by 50%. The number of patients not undergoing operations after hospitalization has increased from 20% to about 65%. Mortality has decreased by 80%, now reaching 0.7 for 100,000 of the population. More than 80% of the deceased are over 65 years old. The main cause of death is advanced appendicitis including perforation. In the North German Patient Appeal Office 10% of all complaints in general surgery concern appendicitis, mostly because of delayed diagnosis. A considerable number of appendectomies is carried out simultaneously in gynecological operations.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik, Henriettenstiftung, Hannover.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Käufer
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Löblich
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality
vernacular_title: Akute Appendicitis.