title: Appendicitis with a palpable mass.
abstract: Forty-two patients with abdominal masses caused by appendicitis underwent immediate surgery. A clear separation between a phlegmon and abscess could not be made before operation. In most patients, it was possible to perform an appendectomy and, thus, obviate the need for appendectomy at a subsequent admission. There were no deaths in this series of patients. The complication rate of 35.7% could have been reduced by leaving the skin wounds open.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged