Evaluation of early surgical management of complicated appendicitis by appendicular mass.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective study was done to evaluate the feasibility and safety of immediate appendicectomy in the presence of appendicular mass.


METHODS
A prospective, nonrandomized study was conducted over 46 consecutive patients (mean age: 24 ± 8.76 years) presenting with an appendicular mass over a 4-year period. They were subjected for immediate appendicectomy within 24 h of admission.


RESULTS
The appendix was identified and removed in all 46 patients at operation. Peri-appendiceal abscesses were present in 25% (11 of 46). There was difficulty with adhesolysis and localization of the appendix in 10%(4) of patients. Superficial wound infection had occurred in 8(17%) while deep wound infection had occurred in 9%(4) patients. The mean hospital stay was 3 ± 0.25 day. No major complications had occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Early surgical intervention in patients with an appendicular mass is feasible, safe and avoids the consequences of the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of other surgical pathologies.
Bahram
M A
MA
Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Menofia University, Egypt. mahmoudbahreem@yahoo.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult