Clegg-Lamptey, J.N.A.Naaeder, S.B.2019-10-212019-10-212003-06http://www.ghanamedj.org/archives/GMJ%202003%20Vol%2037%20No%202/Appendicitis%20in%20Accra,%20a%20contemporary%20appraisal.pdfhttp://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/32975Journal ArticleAppendicitis used to be a rare disease in Accra and other parts of West Africa over five decades ago. By 1971 the incidence in Accra had increased to 2.63/10,000. From 1st June 1998 to 31st May 2000 patients presenting with appendicitis in all the major hospitals and clinics in Accra were analysed to determine the incidence of appendicitis. A prospective study of all patients admitted with acute appendicitis at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) during the same period was done to determine the use of preoperative prophylactic antibiotics, complication rate and duration of hospital stay (bed occupancy) following appendicectomy. The frequency of appendicectomy for acute appendicitis relative to other general surgical emergency operations and to total operations in KBTH was also determined. There were 1409 cases of appendicitis, 72% male and 28% female, an overall male to female ratio of 2.6:1. The yearly incidence of appendicitis in Accra was 3.18/10,000, only slightly more than three decades ago. The peak incidence was in the 20 to 24 age group. In almost all age groups it was twice as common in males as in females. In KBTH, appendicitis constituted 31% of emergencies and 14% of general surgical operations. Ninety one percent received prophylactic antibiotics. The appendix was retrocaecal at operation in 55% of cases. The wound infection rate following appendicectomy in KBTH was 8.75% with a total complication rate of 17%. The mean duration of stay in hospital was 6 days. The 30-day mortality was 1.3%. Acute appendicitis is the commonest general surgical emergency in Accra, being twice as common in males as in females below 60 years. Its incidence has remained relatively stable over the past 30 years.enAppendicitisAppendicitomyincidenceagesexcomplicationsemergenciesArticle