Appendicitis in Kano, Nigeria: A 5-year Review of Pattern, Morbidity and Mortality

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common cause of acute abdomen and clinical morbidity.
Method: This retrospective study of 142 cases in 3 centers in Kano metropolis over a 5- year period was carried out to determine the pattern and outcome of management.
Results: Ninety-five (66.9%) were males and 47(33.1%) were females, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. The peak age incidence was 11 to 20 years, with a mean of 26.5 years. The clinical diagnosis was histologically confirmed in 122 patients (85.9%). Twenty (14.1%) of the patients had negative laparotomy mainly in female teenagers. The perforation rate was 33(23.2%). Wound infection was the most common postoperative complication occurring in 38 patients (26.8%), mainly those with perforation or gangrene, 13(39.4%). There was only one recorded mortality from overwhelming sepsis (0.7%).
Conclusion: While the mortality rate of emergency appendectomy has markedly declined to less than 1% as in this study, morbidity especially postoperative wound infection continues to be a problem.