Morbidity and Mortality in Appendicitis in the Elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the factors affecting the morbidity and mortality in patients over 65 years of age who underwent appendectomy.

STUDY DESIGN: An observational study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, Turkey, from November 2014 to March 2017.

METHODOLOGY: Medical records of the patients over 65 years of age with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomy during the study period were retrospectively analyzed. Age and complications were noted. The reviewed outcome measures were perforation rates, morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-eight patients over 65 years of age presenting with abdominal pain were hospitalized for diagnosis and treatment. Appendectomy was performed in 112 patients. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 70 of these patients. Perforation rate and morbidity were 40% and 28%, respectively. There was no mortality.

CONCLUSION: Elderly patients show a high perforation rate and morbidity after appendectomy.