Anomalies of the vermiform appendix and prevalence of acute appendicitis in Khartoum.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate certain anatomical features of the vermiform appendix and the prevalence of acute appendicitis among Sudanese citizens in Khartoum province.


METHODS
A prospective descriptive study of consecutive patients operated by a particular doctor.


METHODS
Omdurman and Khartoum Teaching Hospitals from November 1995 to February 1996.


METHODS
Appendicectomy and recording particular characteristics of the appendix.


METHODS
(i) appendix position, (ii) variations of mesopharynx and (iii) length of appendix.


RESULTS
Acute appendicitis was found to be more common in males than in females and among adults than children. The average length was 8.9 cm in males and 9.4 cms in females. The appendix was commonly found to be retrocaecal (58.3%) on pelvic (21.7%) or paracaecal (11.7%). Anomalies of the appendix were more common in children than adults and occurred in 47% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Average length of the vermiform appendix was longer in females than in males. Ectopic positions such as left-sided appendix were not detected in this study.
Bakheit
M A
MA
King Faisal University, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Warille
A A
AA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001065:Appendix / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*