ABSRACT:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the causes of re-admissions in patients undergoing open appendicectomy, and to evaluate predicting factors.
METHOLOGY: Prospective cross-sectional study conducted at Department of surgery LUMHS, for three years (January 2007 - December 2009). Patients presented for readmission within one year of undergoing open appendicectomy, which was carried out during first two year of study period, were included in the study. Indications of readmission were determined mostly by clinical evaluation. Frequency and proportion of readmission and their indication were calculated.
RESULT: Out of total 461 patients who underwent appendectomy, 28(6.07 %%) were readmitted (Female=17, Male=11). Twenty (71%) were readmitted within first two weeks after initial discharge. Indications at subsequent readmission were nonspecific abdominal pain 39.3%, wound infection 28.6%, small bowel obstruction 17.9%, pelvic abscess 7.2%, fecal fistula 3.5%, stump appendicitis 3.5%. In the readmitted patients 68.7% had normal looking appendix preoperatively and they had shorter initial hospital stay.
CONCLUSION: Female sex, perforated appendix and normal morphological appearance of appendix at operation are factors, which may predict readmission. Proper evaluation of symptoms especially in female may reduce readmission rate. Hence associated adverse effects of readmissions like additional treatment and cost can be reduced.
Key words: Key words: acute appendicitis, emergency appendicectomy, readmissions, abdominal pain.
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