Evaluation of Clinical Experience in Diagnosis, Management and Outcome in Patients with Acute Appendicitis from Yemen

Abstract

Aim of the Study: To analyse the diagnostic and therapeutic management as well as the outcomes of patients with acute appendicitis in Yemen.

Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted between January 2011 and April 2021. We included medical records of 361 patients with acute appendicitis who had undergone surgery. Baseline data collected included:  age, sex, history, laboratory findings, and physical tests upon hospital admission, including right lower quadrant (RLQ) Pain, Blumberg and psoas signs. Active observations, data on concomitant disorders, were collected.

Results:  This study recruited 361 patients and the mean age was 25.62+10.74, with 148 females (41%) and 213 males (59%). After surgery: A total of 135 women (91.2 %) and 193 men (90.6 %) were referred to the wards, 33 Patients (9.1%) in critical condition were sent to the intensive care unit, where they stayed for 2.5 days. The average ages of the women and men who participated in the research were 24.45+10.40 and 26.44+10.93, respectively. No statistically significant differences in WBC count or observation hours were found between the sexes using Student’s t-test. Intraoperative, the Vermiform appendix was found: Phlegmonous (73.7%), gangrenous (11.3%), perforated (9.1%), normal appendix was found in (5%) patients. Wound infection was the primary postoperative consequence in 18 (5%) patients.

Conclusion: The diagnosis of acute appendicitis relies heavily on physicians’ clinical experience. The primary objective of this strategy is to diagnose the condition immediately after symptom onset in order to avoid future complications.