BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common cause of acute abdomen and is responsible for high morbidity. Correct diagnosis remains a challenge, thus accurate perioperative assessment is important in planning surgical therapy. AIM: To evaluate institutional findings in perioperative workup, operative approach and adverse outcomes in patients who underwent open surgical intervention for acute appendicitis. METHOD: A prospective chart was performed of 88 adults patients undergoing open appendectomy. Variables compared were imaging methods and laboratory evaluation, pathologic findings and early complications. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 8.0 and EpiInfo6.0. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent ultrassonography (56,7% females) and five computorized tomography (all women). The differencial white cell count was directly related to more advanced phases regarding increased of "stabs", segmented and eosinophyls/lymphocytes decrease (P>0,005). Sixty (67%) patients used antibiotic therapy and 38,33% of them had perforated appendicitis. Was found 23,8% of complications, 11,4% was wound infections and patients with perforated appendicitis. CONCLUSION: Females demand more imaging methods. The differencial white cell count in complicated appendicitis has an increment in less mature neutrophils and reduction of the eosinophils and lymphocytes. Advanced phases has increase risk of early complications mainly superficial wound infections and shows more prevalence in using.
Acute appendicitis; Surgical outcomes; Appendectomy
