Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 4/2015

01-04-2015 | Original Article

Acute Appendicitis in the Elderly in the Twenty-First Century

Authors: Lior Segev, Andrei Keidar, Ilan Schrier, Shlomi Rayman, Nir Wasserberg, Eran Sadot

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 4/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The incidence of appendicitis in the elderly has risen. Older age is an independent predictor of poor surgical outcome. Herein, we present the most comprehensive single institution study to describe the natural history and outcome of appendicitis in elderly patients.

Methods

A review of 1898 consecutive patients who underwent appendectomy between 2004 and 2007 was performed. The elderly patients were defined as older than 68 years.

Results

The median age of the entire cohort was 25 years, and 55 % were males. The elderly group included 68 patients (3.6 %). On comparison by age, the elderly group had a significantly longer delay from symptom onset to admission (50 vs 31 h, P = 0.01) and from admission to surgery, a longer operative time and hospital stay, and higher rates of postoperative complications and complicated appendicitis.

Conclusion

The current study demonstrated several unique characteristics of the elderly population with acute appendicitis, which include poor outcome and longer time intervals to diagnosis and treatment. In order to improve the poor outcome of the elderly population with appendicitis, prospective trials are necessary.
Literature
1.
go back to reference World Health Organization. Active ageing: a policy framework. Available at: whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/who_nmh_nph_02.8.pdf. Accessed 1 Mar 2013. World Health Organization. Active ageing: a policy framework. Available at: whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/who_nmh_nph_02.8.pdf. Accessed 1 Mar 2013.
2.
go back to reference US Census Bureau. The 2012 Statistical Abstract. The National Data Book. Population. Available at: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/population.html. Accessed 1 Mar 2013 US Census Bureau. The 2012 Statistical Abstract. The National Data Book. Population. Available at: http://​www.​census.​gov/​compendia/​statab/​cats/​population.​html.​ Accessed 1 Mar 2013
3.
go back to reference Klopfenstein CE, Herrmann FR, Michel JP, Clergue F, Forster A. The influence of an aging surgical population on the anesthesia workload: a ten-year survey. Anesthesia and analgesia. 1998;86(6):1165–70.PubMed Klopfenstein CE, Herrmann FR, Michel JP, Clergue F, Forster A. The influence of an aging surgical population on the anesthesia workload: a ten-year survey. Anesthesia and analgesia. 1998;86(6):1165–70.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Etzioni DA, Liu JH, Maggard MA, Ko CY. The aging population and its impact on the surgery workforce. Ann Surg. 2003;238(2):170–7.PubMedCentralPubMed Etzioni DA, Liu JH, Maggard MA, Ko CY. The aging population and its impact on the surgery workforce. Ann Surg. 2003;238(2):170–7.PubMedCentralPubMed
5.
go back to reference Ochsner A. Is risk of indicated operation too great in the elderly? Geriatrics. 1967;22(11):121–30.PubMed Ochsner A. Is risk of indicated operation too great in the elderly? Geriatrics. 1967;22(11):121–30.PubMed
6.
go back to reference Hamel MB, Henderson WG, Khuri SF, Daley J. Surgical outcomes for patients aged 80 and older: morbidity and mortality from major noncardiac surgery. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2005;53(3):424–9.CrossRefPubMed Hamel MB, Henderson WG, Khuri SF, Daley J. Surgical outcomes for patients aged 80 and older: morbidity and mortality from major noncardiac surgery. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2005;53(3):424–9.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Bentrem DJ, Cohen ME, Hynes DM, Ko CY, Bilimoria KY. Identification of specific quality improvement opportunities for the elderly undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Arch Surg. 2009;144(11):1013–20.CrossRefPubMed Bentrem DJ, Cohen ME, Hynes DM, Ko CY, Bilimoria KY. Identification of specific quality improvement opportunities for the elderly undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Arch Surg. 2009;144(11):1013–20.CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Peltokallio P, Tykka H. Evolution of the age distribution and mortality of acute appendicitis. Arch Surg. 1981;116(2):153–6.CrossRefPubMed Peltokallio P, Tykka H. Evolution of the age distribution and mortality of acute appendicitis. Arch Surg. 1981;116(2):153–6.CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Lau WY, Fan ST, Yiu TF, Chu KW, Lee JM. Acute appendicitis in the elderly. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1985;161(2):157–60.PubMed Lau WY, Fan ST, Yiu TF, Chu KW, Lee JM. Acute appendicitis in the elderly. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1985;161(2):157–60.PubMed
11.
go back to reference Kim MJ, Fleming FJ, Gunzler DD, Messing S, Salloum RM, Monson JR. Laparoscopic appendectomy is safe and efficacious for the elderly: an analysis using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database. Surg Endosc. 2011;25(6):1802–7.CrossRefPubMed Kim MJ, Fleming FJ, Gunzler DD, Messing S, Salloum RM, Monson JR. Laparoscopic appendectomy is safe and efficacious for the elderly: an analysis using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database. Surg Endosc. 2011;25(6):1802–7.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Harrell AG, Lincourt AE, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ, Kuwada TS, Kercher KW, et al. Advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy in the elderly. Am Surg. 2006;72(6):474–80.PubMed Harrell AG, Lincourt AE, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ, Kuwada TS, Kercher KW, et al. Advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy in the elderly. Am Surg. 2006;72(6):474–80.PubMed
13.
go back to reference Guller U, Jain N, Peterson ED, Muhlbaier LH, Eubanks S, Pietrobon R. Laparoscopic appendectomy in the elderly. Surgery. 2004;135(5):479–88.CrossRefPubMed Guller U, Jain N, Peterson ED, Muhlbaier LH, Eubanks S, Pietrobon R. Laparoscopic appendectomy in the elderly. Surgery. 2004;135(5):479–88.CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Yamini D, Vargas H, Bongard F, Klein S, Stamos MJ. Perforated appendicitis: is it truly a surgical urgency? Am Surg. 1998;64(10):970–5.PubMed Yamini D, Vargas H, Bongard F, Klein S, Stamos MJ. Perforated appendicitis: is it truly a surgical urgency? Am Surg. 1998;64(10):970–5.PubMed
15.
go back to reference Franz MG, Norman J, Fabri PJ. Increased morbidity of appendicitis with advancing age. Am Surg. 1995;61(1):40–4.PubMed Franz MG, Norman J, Fabri PJ. Increased morbidity of appendicitis with advancing age. Am Surg. 1995;61(1):40–4.PubMed
16.
go back to reference Hansson J, Korner U, Khorram-Manesh A, Solberg A, Lundholm K. Randomized clinical trial of antibiotic therapy versus appendicectomy as primary treatment of acute appendicitis in unselected patients. Br J Surg. 2009;96(5):473–81.CrossRefPubMed Hansson J, Korner U, Khorram-Manesh A, Solberg A, Lundholm K. Randomized clinical trial of antibiotic therapy versus appendicectomy as primary treatment of acute appendicitis in unselected patients. Br J Surg. 2009;96(5):473–81.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Styrud J, Eriksson S, Nilsson I, Ahlberg G, Haapaniemi S, Neovius G, et al. Appendectomy versus antibiotic treatment in acute appendicitis. a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial. World J Surg. 2006;30(6):1033–7. Styrud J, Eriksson S, Nilsson I, Ahlberg G, Haapaniemi S, Neovius G, et al. Appendectomy versus antibiotic treatment in acute appendicitis. a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial. World J Surg. 2006;30(6):1033–7.
18.
go back to reference Liu K, Fogg L. Use of antibiotics alone for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surgery. 2011;150(4):673–83.CrossRefPubMed Liu K, Fogg L. Use of antibiotics alone for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surgery. 2011;150(4):673–83.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Kurian AA, Wang L, Grunkemeier G, Bhayani NH, Swanstrom LL. Defining "the elderly" undergoing major gastrointestinal resections: receiver operating characteristic analysis of a large ACS-NSQIP cohort. Ann Surg. 2013;258(3):483–9. Kurian AA, Wang L, Grunkemeier G, Bhayani NH, Swanstrom LL. Defining "the elderly" undergoing major gastrointestinal resections: receiver operating characteristic analysis of a large ACS-NSQIP cohort. Ann Surg. 2013;258(3):483–9.
20.
go back to reference Di Saverio S, Sibilio A, Giorgini E, Biscardi A, Villani S, Coccolini F, et al. The NOTA Study (Non Operative Treatment for Acute Appendicitis): prospective study on the efficacy and safety of antibiotics (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) for treating patients with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and long-term follow-up of conservatively treated suspected appendicitis. Ann Surg. 2014;260(1):109–17.CrossRefPubMed Di Saverio S, Sibilio A, Giorgini E, Biscardi A, Villani S, Coccolini F, et al. The NOTA Study (Non Operative Treatment for Acute Appendicitis): prospective study on the efficacy and safety of antibiotics (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) for treating patients with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and long-term follow-up of conservatively treated suspected appendicitis. Ann Surg. 2014;260(1):109–17.CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Park HC, Kim MJ, Lee BH. Antibiotic therapy for appendicitis in patients aged >/=80 years. The American journal of medicine. 2014;127(6):562–4.CrossRefPubMed Park HC, Kim MJ, Lee BH. Antibiotic therapy for appendicitis in patients aged >/=80 years. The American journal of medicine. 2014;127(6):562–4.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Storm-Dickerson TL, Horattas MC. What have we learned over the past 20 years about appendicitis in the elderly? Am J Surg. 2003;185(3):198–201.CrossRefPubMed Storm-Dickerson TL, Horattas MC. What have we learned over the past 20 years about appendicitis in the elderly? Am J Surg. 2003;185(3):198–201.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Smithy WB, Wexner SD, Dailey TH. The diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in the aged. Dis Colon Rectum. 1986;29(3):170–3.CrossRefPubMed Smithy WB, Wexner SD, Dailey TH. The diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in the aged. Dis Colon Rectum. 1986;29(3):170–3.CrossRefPubMed
24.
25.
go back to reference Lunca S, Bouras G, Romedea NS. Acute appendicitis in the elderly patient: diagnostic problems, prognostic factors and outcomes. Romanian journal of gastroenterology. 2004;13(4):299–303.PubMed Lunca S, Bouras G, Romedea NS. Acute appendicitis in the elderly patient: diagnostic problems, prognostic factors and outcomes. Romanian journal of gastroenterology. 2004;13(4):299–303.PubMed
26.
27.
go back to reference Eldar S, Nash E, Sabo E, Matter I, Kunin J, Mogilner JG, et al. Delay of surgery in acute appendicitis. Am J Surg. 1997;173(3):194–8.CrossRefPubMed Eldar S, Nash E, Sabo E, Matter I, Kunin J, Mogilner JG, et al. Delay of surgery in acute appendicitis. Am J Surg. 1997;173(3):194–8.CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Sadot E, Wasserberg N, Shapiro R, Keidar A, Oberman B, Sadetzki S. Acute appendicitis in the twenty-first century: should we modify the management protocol? J Gastrointest Surg. 2013;17(8):1462–70.CrossRefPubMed Sadot E, Wasserberg N, Shapiro R, Keidar A, Oberman B, Sadetzki S. Acute appendicitis in the twenty-first century: should we modify the management protocol? J Gastrointest Surg. 2013;17(8):1462–70.CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Makary MA, Segev DL, Pronovost PJ, Syin D, Bandeen-Roche K, Patel P, et al. Frailty as a predictor of surgical outcomes in older patients. J Am Coll Surg. 2010;210(6):901–8.CrossRefPubMed Makary MA, Segev DL, Pronovost PJ, Syin D, Bandeen-Roche K, Patel P, et al. Frailty as a predictor of surgical outcomes in older patients. J Am Coll Surg. 2010;210(6):901–8.CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Korc-Grodzicki B, Downey RJ, Shahrokni A, Kingham TP, Patel SG, Audisio RA. Surgical Considerations in Older Adults With Cancer. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2014;32(24):2647–53.CrossRef Korc-Grodzicki B, Downey RJ, Shahrokni A, Kingham TP, Patel SG, Audisio RA. Surgical Considerations in Older Adults With Cancer. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2014;32(24):2647–53.CrossRef
32.
go back to reference Joseph B, Pandit V, Zangbar B, Kulvatunyou N, Hashmi A, Green DJ, et al. Superiority of frailty over age in predicting outcomes among geriatric trauma patients: a prospective analysis. JAMA surgery. 2014;149(8):766–72.CrossRefPubMed Joseph B, Pandit V, Zangbar B, Kulvatunyou N, Hashmi A, Green DJ, et al. Superiority of frailty over age in predicting outcomes among geriatric trauma patients: a prospective analysis. JAMA surgery. 2014;149(8):766–72.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Acute Appendicitis in the Elderly in the Twenty-First Century
Authors
Lior Segev
Andrei Keidar
Ilan Schrier
Shlomi Rayman
Nir Wasserberg
Eran Sadot
Publication date
01-04-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 4/2015
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-014-2716-9

Other articles of this Issue 4/2015

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 4/2015 Go to the issue