@article {Simpson:May 2008:0035-8843:313,
	author = "Simpson, J.",
	author = "Samaraweera, A.P.R.",
	author = "Sara, R.K.",
	author = "Lobo, D.N.",
	title = "Acute appendicitis a benign disease?",
	journal = "Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England",
	volume = "90",
	year = "May 2008",
	abstract = "INTRODUCTION: Appendicitis is the most common cause of the acute abdomen and can affect all age groups. Most patients recover quickly but a minority can suffer postoperative complications. This case-note review was undertaken to assess the frequency of these complications.<P></P>PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult patients (&#62; 16 years) undergoing an emergency appendicectomy at a University teaching hospital between February 2004 and January 2005 were identified from pathology records. Details of operative procedure, histology and postoperative complications were noted from the hospital case notes<P></P>RESULTS: A total of 199 patients with a median age of 31 years (range, 16-89 years) were identified. Of these, 58 (29%) patients experienced a postoperative complication. Eight (4%) patients were admitted to the surgical high dependency unit or intensive care unit postoperatively and there was one death (0.5%). Re-operation for a postoperative complication was required in 9 (4.5%) patients and there was a 13% re-admission rate (26 patients). Comparison between patients with histologically proven appendicitis (164 patients; 82%) and those patients having a negative appendicectomy (35 patients; 18%) showed no significant difference in the rate of complications as defined (43 of 164, 26% versus 15 of 35, 43%; <I>P</I> = 0.08). However, patients with positive histology were more likely to experience a septic complication (29 of 164, 18% versus 1 of 35, 3%; <I>P</I> = 0.028) and all re-operations came from this group. Despite this, patients with a negative appendicectomy were more likely to be re-admitted (12 of 35, 34% versus 14 of 164, 8.5%; <I>P</I> = 0.0002), predominantly with persistent abdominal pain.<P></P>CONCLUSIONS: Appendicectomy is associated with a significant morbidity. Patients with an inflamed appendix were more likely to experience a septic complication but re-admission was more common in patients with a histologically normal appendix because of unresolved abdominal pain.",
	pages = "313-316(4)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/rcse/arcs/2008/00000090/00000004/art00010"
	doi = "doi:10.1308/003588408X285973"
}