Acute appendicitis-not just for the young

作者：Harbrecht Brian G^*; Franklin Glen A; Miller Frank B; Smith Jason W; Richardson J David

来源：American Journal of Surgery, 2011, 202(3): 286-290.

DOI：10.1016/j.amjsurg.2010.08.017

• Appendicitis
• Emergency surgery
• Elderly

BACKGROUND: The incidence of appendicitis is highest in young patients, but the number of elderly patients with appendicitis appears to be increasing. The authors evaluated a statewide experience to assess the effect of age on resource utilization and outcomes for this common disease.
METHODS: All discharges from Kentucky hospitals for appendicitis were identified. Patients from rehabilitation hospitals, those with inflammatory bowel disease, and those undergoing incidental appendectomy were excluded.
RESULTS: Young (aged <= 29 years) and middle-aged (aged 30-64 years) patients each constituted 45% of all patients with appendicitis. Length of stay, hospital charges, and frequency of complicated appendicitis all increased with age. Although elderly patients (aged >= 80 years) underwent laparoscopic appendectomy as frequently (60%) as younger patients, they were more likely to undergo complicated open procedures.
CONCLUSIONS: Older patients represent a substantial population of patients with appendicitis, with more complicated operative procedures, increased lengths of stay, and increased resource utilization.

• 出版日期2011-9