Acute Appendicitis in Senior Citizens

Abstract

Why is perforation so common in acute appendicitis of the elderly? Delay in seeking medical attention seems to be the main reason. The perforation rate was 68 percent in a series of 44 patients 65 years of age or older. But sound surgical principles-frequent use of the McBurney incision, draining the peritoneal cavity, antibiotics, relieving distention, and controlling fluids-kept the mortality rate low.