Resumen

RODRIGUEZ-HERRERA, Gilberto. Revisión de casos operados con diagnóstico clínico de apéndicitis aguda en pacientes. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2003, vol.45, n.2, pp.62-67. ISSN 0001-6002.

Justification and Objectives: Acute appendicitis is the most frequent abdominal surgical emergency in children. The objective of the present study was to conduct a medical surgical analysis regarding the most frequent age group, gender, grade of appendicitis and previous treatments used in appendicectomized patients at the Pediatric Surgery department of the San Carlos Hospital. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients of both genders were appendectomized at the Pediatric Surgery department of the San Carlos Hospital, their ages ranged from hours old neonates to thirteen years old, between January 1999 to August 2001. The gathering of data was carried out by the author in an exhaustive review of clinical histories and files. Results: Among the 120 patients operated, the most frequent age group was from 10 to 13 years old, there were more males than females; most were classified as being second grade appendicitis. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as non opiate analgesics were among the previous medical treatments more widely used. The patients who stated having received previous medical treatment presented a higher grade of clinical appendicitis during surgery and in the pathology specimens. Conclusions: The diagnosis of acute appendicitis is mainly clinical. Late diagnosis and delay in medical treatment are important factors that increase the morbidity and mortality of the pediatric patient.

Palabras clave : Apendicitis aguda; grado clínico patológico; tratamientos previos; apendicectomía; diagnóstico temprano; enfermedad de morera; dolor abdominal agudo.