Appendicitis in the elderly: the case for better diagnosis.
Appendicitis in the elderly is a serious disease with increased morbidity and mortality. This and other studies show that there is a delay in operating on patients over age 55 who may have appendicitis. While symptoms are milder in the elderly, they are of the same kind as in younger patients. The same is true of physical findings. Greater suspicion and early surgery should improve the outcome in caring for elderly patients with appendicitis.
D000368:Aged; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000401:mortality; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors