Prevalence of Retrocaecal Appendix among Patients with Appendicitis in A Tertiary Care Hospital of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdomen. The clinical presentation of appendicitis and its susceptibility to acute inflammation may be affected by the length and position of vermiform appendix. Length and position of appendix are variable. The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of retrocaecal appendix among patients undergoing appendectomy for appendicitis. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 264 patients undergoing appendectomy in Department of Surgery, Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar, Nepal 1st May, 2018 to 15th May, 2019. Ethical approval was taken. Simple random sampling was done. The position of appendix was noted before appendectomy. Subgroup analysis was done on the basis of gender and length of appendix recorded in centimeters with a measuring scale immediately after removal of appendix. Data was collected in excel and was analyzed in SPSS version 16. Results: Prevalence of retrocaecal appendix among patients with appendicitis was 95 (35.98%). Similarly, other positions noted were pelvic in 67 (25.37%), post-ileal in 61 (23.10%), pre-ileal in 11 (4.16%) and subcaecal in 30 (11.36%) individuals. The length of appendix ranged from 1.7 cm to 14.7 cm. The mean length was 8.67±2.44 cm. Conclusions: The most common position of appendix in patients with appendicitis is retrocaecal position followed by pelvic position in both males and females.

Keywords

• appendicitis; appendix; position of appendix; vermiform appendix.