Acute appendicitis in children: A series of 75 cases in the pediatric surgery unit in the general surgery department at Ignace Deen National Hospital

Introduction: Acute appendicitis is an acute inflammation of the vermicular appendix.

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and therapeutic aspects of acute appendicitis in children in the pediatric surgery unit in the general surgery department.

Material and methods: This was a descriptive prospective study lasting one year from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 carried out in the pediatric surgery unit in the general surgery department at the hospital. National Ignatius Deen.

Results: We collected 75 cases, i.e. a frequency of 37.5% compared to all the digestive surgical pathologies operated on. The most affected age group was 11-15 years or 46.66%. The female sex was predominant at 60% with a sex ratio of 0.78. Abdominal pain localized to the FID was observed in all patients, i.e. 100%. The treatment was essentially surgical under general anesthesia with the main approach: an incision at the Mac Burney point. The latero-caecal position was the most observed at 76%. The postoperative course was simple in 86.67% of patients and complicated in 13.33% of patients.

Conclusion: Acute appendicitis is a frequent reason for consultation in the pediatric surgery unit.