Zewdu D, Wondwosen M, Tantu T, Tilahun T, Teshome T, Hamu A. Predictors and management outcomes of perforated appendicitis in sub-Saharan African countries: A retrospective cohort study.
Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022;
80:104194. [PMID:
36045808 PMCID:
PMC9422206 DOI:
10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104194]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Previous studies have found an association between various predictors and perforated appendicitis. However, there is limited evidence of studies determining the severity of acute appendicitis (AA) in resource-limited settings. Thus, this study aimed to identify predictors and outcomes of perforated appendicitis (PA) in sub-Saharan countries.
Methods
This is a retrospective cohort study of 298 adult patients who underwent surgical intervention for acute appendicitis. Demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, intraoperative findings, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications were collected. We computed multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of PA. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Of 298 patients, PA was 142(47.65%). The identified risk factors for PA are referred patients (AOR = 3.932; 95% CI (2.201–7.027), fever >38 °C (AOR = 4.569; 95% CI (2.249–9.282), and duration of symptoms >2 days (AOR = 2.704; 95% CI (1.400–5.222). Perforation was associated with an increased rate of postoperative complications (45.07vs. 6.41%; P < 0.001) and a longer length of hospital stay (3 vs. 5 days; P < 0.001).
Conclusions
The incidences of PA in our study are consistent with other reports in developing countries. Referred patients, longer duration of symptoms >2 days, and presence of fever >38 °C were the best predictors of PA. The overall total postoperative complications and the length of hospital stays were higher in PA. Based on our findings, we recommend that the identified predictors should be considered during the preoperative diagnosis and subsequent management.
The rate of Perforated Appendix is relatively high in sub-Saharan countries.
Duration of symptoms, fever and referred patients were the predictors of PA.
PA increased the risk of postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stays.
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