EARLY SURGICAL INTERVENTION IN APPENDICULAR LUMP – A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Appendicular lump is usually encountered when the treatment of acute appendicitis is delayed; its formation is attributed to the protective mechanism of the body to localize the infection. The traditional treatment of this appendicular lump is conservative followed by appendicectomy after 4-6 weeks. But this may not be always successful as a considerable number of patients may fail to respond to conservative treatment. Also there is always a chance for missing some hidden pathology. Moreover many patients fail to turn up for appendicectomy later. So our aim is to do early appendicectomy and assess the outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Early appendicectomy was performed in 41 patients and the outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Operations were performed within 36 hours of their admission by open technique. Intra-operative ndings including any difculty encountered during surgery were recorded. Findings of post operative period like any complications occurred were recorded. RESULTS:An appendicular lump was encountered in all 41 patients. In 6 patients there were localized pus collection and in 4 patients, gangrene of the base of the appendix. The Mcburney's incision has to be extended in 9 patients due to difculty encountered.There were no major bowel injury in the study. The appendix could be removed successfully in all the 41 patients. The average duration of hospital stay was 5-6 days. CONCLUSION: Early appendicectomy in appendicular lump can easily and safely be performed. It not only shortens the duration of hospital stay but also eliminates the need for a second admission