Acute Appendicitis in Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract

Background: 

We report our experience with patients who had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and who presented with signs and symptoms suggesting acute appendicitis.

Methods: 

Observational data are documented for 9 patients with AIDS who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis.

Results: 

Of the 9 patients, 6 (66.7%) had acute appendicitis without perforation, while the other 3 (33.3%) had perforated appendicitis. An elevated preoperative temperature was found in 4 patients without perforation (66.7%), and in 1 patient with perforation (33.3%). An elevated white blood cell count was found in all 6 patients without perforation (100%), but in none with perforation (0%). The mean interval from surgical referral to laparotomy was 61.1 hours, the mean hospital stay was 9.3 days, and the perioperative mortality rate was 22.2%. Conclusion: Our experience should alert emergency medical staff who care for AIDS patients to the need for early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment of appendicitis.