Acute appendicitis in children.

Authors

  • M Gonçalves Serviço de Cirurgia Pediátrica, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa.
  • A P Martins
  • M J Leal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.3139

Abstract

From January 1st, 1987 to December 31st, 1989, 267 patients were operated upon for acute appendicitis representing 97% of emergency laparotomies at the Pediatric Surgery Department of Santa Maria Hospital (HSM); of these, 207 records were analysed using a retrospective protocol and the results were as follows: most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (99% of cases) and anorexia (86%). Referral for surgical evaluation was made in 35.8% of cases 48 hours after the onset of symptoms; surgery was performed in 129 patients (62.4%) in advanced stages of disease, with histopathological examinations of necrotic, perforated and gangrenous appendices. 15 patients (7.2%) had no appendicitis-11 were found to have follicular hyperplasia and 4 normal histology; of these, luminal distention by parasitic eggs was found in 4. Antibiotic therapy was used in 89 patients preoperatively and in 200 patients postoperatively; cefoxitin was the most commonly used in 89.9% and 83.0% respectively. There were 19 complications (9.2%): 8 parietal, 5 pelvic and 1 subphrenic abscesses, 4 total or partial obstructions and 1 lost drain; 4 patients (1.9%) were reoperated and there was no mortality.

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How to Cite

1.
Gonçalves M, Martins AP, Leal MJ. Acute appendicitis in children. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 1993 Sep. 30 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];6(8-9):377-82. Available from: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/3139

Issue

Section

Arquivo Histórico