Ashindoitiang John Adi
This study was carried out o determine the frequency of the classical signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis in Nigeria adult. Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen and is the most frequent indication for emergency surgery. The presentation varies from one individual to the other and may vary from one environment to the other. In Nigeria, where over the counter antibiotics are widely used and patients seek medical attention late, the presentation is likely to be more complex. This is a 3 years prospective study of patients with acute appendicitis seen in Motayo Hospital (a private hospital in Lagos) from January 2005 and December 2008. An evaluation of signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis was carried out in one hundred and thirty two patients with histological confirmed diagnosis. Majority of the patients were within the age of 20 to 40years. There was a slight maIe preponderance of 56.5%. The initial pains of acute appendicitis was located in the right lower quadrant in 62%, colicky abdominal pains was the most frequent reported character of abdominal pains. The most common symptoms accompanying abdominal pains were nausea, vomiting and anorexia. More than 60% of the patients had previous symptoms ranging from 1 month to 10years before presentations. The classical story of central abdominal pain situated in the umbilicus and later shifting to the right iliac fossa is not commonly seen in Nigeria. Most patients present after several weeks and even months after the initial attack. The correct terminology for most patients in Nigeria is recurrent acute appendicitis.
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