Abstract:
Introduction: Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the vermiform
appendix. It is classified as a surgical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed
appendix of either by laparotomy or laparoscopy .Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of
rupture leading to peritonitis and shock.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and treatment outcome of acute appendicitis in
Nekemte Referral Hospital, in Eastern zone of wollegaOromia Region, Ethiopia from Sept 1,
2011-Sept1, 2014 G. C
Methods;- A retrospective cross sectional analysis were undertaken with complete survey on 256
cases of acute appendicitis surgically managed at Nekemet Referral Hospital from Sept 1 2011-
Sept 1 2014 G C. The quantitative data were entered in to statistical software version 16.0 and
were cleaned, edited, the frequency distribution of variables were examined to check for data
entry errors (e.g. unrecognized of missing codes, out of range values). The data were described
and presented using narrative text,tables graphs and using advanced statistical analysis.
Result: In this study acute appendicitis accounted for 71.1% of the operations for acute
abdominal emergencies and 1.5% of total hospital admissions. There were 162 male and 94
females giving a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. The mean age was 25.6± 15.2 years (range 7-
84years). The average duration of illness at presentation and hospital stay was 2.3± 1.9 days and
3.4± 1 days, respectively. All the cases presented with abdominal pain and a shift of peri -
umblical pain to the right lower quadrant was found in the majority. Right lower quadrant
tenderness was the leading physical finding. The rate simple and perforated appendicitis were
65.2% and 21.5%, respectively19.9% of the pts had post- operative wound infection. Out of the
256 cases operated up on acute appendicitis there was no death encountered
Conclusion: The study showed that the prevalence of acute appendicitis was high in Nekemt
Referral Hospital, and appendectomy was the commonest surgical abdominal procedure during
the period under the study. Treatment outcome were also relatively good, and the results of the
study were compared with those from elsewhere.
