Seasonal Pattern of Acute Appendicitis in Basrah

Appendicitis is the most common acute surgical condition of the abdomen. The aim of the project is to study the seasonal variation in the incidence of acute appendicitis in Basrah and its correlation to gender, age, presentation and length of hospital stay of affected patients. Patients with acute appendicitis who admitted to the surgical unit in Basrah General hospital during the period from January 2010 to December 2013 were prospectively evaluated according to the demographic features, particularly age and sex, length of hospital stay, seasonal variation and the postoperative outcome. Out of 1261 patients included in this study 57% patients were males and 43% of patient were females with age range from 3-70 years. All the patients treated surgically by open and laparoscopic means. 34 patients found to have perforated appendix, 25 patients presented with abdominal mass and 7 patients were presented with appendicular abscess. A significant seasonal effect was observed, with the rate of acute appendicitis being higher in the summer months. It is concluded that acute appendicitis is more common in males, in those aged 10-19years, and during the summer months.