[Mortality in acute appendicitis--an analysis of a ten-year period].

This is a retrospective study covering 11,142 acute appendicitis patients, operated in the emergency surgery section of the Emergency Medicine Institute "Pirogov" over the period 1986 through 1995. Overall mortality amounts to 0.29 per cent (32 deceased). The dynamic patterns of mortality undergo regression analysis. The basic factors having an impact on thanatogenesis are comprehensively discussed, namely advanced age, premorbidity background, form of appendicitis and postoperative complications. Late diagnosis is the most important factor leading to peritonitis development. Also, peritonitis against the background of concomitant diseases and advanced age proves to be the underlying cause of the fatal outcome of patients--in 24 (75 per cent) of the total number of deaths. The necessary measures contributing to make prompt diagnosis in acute appendicitis, and undertaking more effective treatment of appendicular peritonitis and postoperative complications are outlined.