OBJECTIVES: To determine the normal (non-inflamed) position of the vermiform appendix in Ghana and carry out a pilot study to test the hypothesis "The retrocaecal appendix is less prone to inflammation". DESIGN: Retrospective autopsy study. SETTING: The pathology department and the department of surgery theatres of the Korle Bu Teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana SUBJECTS: Consecutive autopsies and inflamed appendices at appendicectomy. Deaths occurring from untreated appendicitis were excluded from the autopsy study. Conversely non-inflamed appendices and appendices from interval appendicectomy were excluded from the appendicitis study. RESULTS: There were 1358 autopsies and 323 inflamed appendices. In the autopsy study the retrocaecal position was the most common (914 [67.3%]). Other positions were pelvic (294 [21.6%]), preileal (66 [4.9%]), postileal (51 [3.8%]) and paracaecal (33 [2.4%]). These positions were similar in males and females. The positions of 323 inflamed appendices were: retrocaecal (183 [56.7%]), pelvic (66 [20.4%]), preileal (20 [6.2%]), postileal (15 [4.6%]) and paracaecal (39 [12.1%]). Comparing the nonretrocaecal to the retrocaecal position by chi square, the non-retrocaecal position was more prone to inflammation (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The position of the normal appendix in Ghana differs from Western literature. The retrocaecal position appears less prone to inflammation in Ghanaians.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the normal (non-inflamed) position of the vermiform appendix in Ghana and carry out a pilot study to test the hypothesis "The retrocaecal appendix is less prone to inflammation". DESIGN: Retrospective autopsy study. SETTING: The pathology department and the department of surgery theatres of the Korle Bu Teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana SUBJECTS: Consecutive autopsies and inflamed appendices at appendicectomy. Deaths occurring from untreated appendicitis were excluded from the autopsy study. Conversely non-inflamed appendices and appendices from interval appendicectomy were excluded from the appendicitis study. RESULTS: There were 1358 autopsies and 323 inflamed appendices. In the autopsy study the retrocaecal position was the most common (914 [67.3%]). Other positions were pelvic (294 [21.6%]), preileal (66 [4.9%]), postileal (51 [3.8%]) and paracaecal (33 [2.4%]). These positions were similar in males and females. The positions of 323 inflamed appendices were: retrocaecal (183 [56.7%]), pelvic (66 [20.4%]), preileal (20 [6.2%]), postileal (15 [4.6%]) and paracaecal (39 [12.1%]). Comparing the nonretrocaecal to the retrocaecal position by chi square, the non-retrocaecal position was more prone to inflammation (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The position of the normal appendix in Ghana differs from Western literature. The retrocaecal position appears less prone to inflammation in Ghanaians.
Authors: John Davis; Albert T Roh; Matthew B Petterson; Tammy R Kopelman; Samantha L Matz; Daniel G Gridley; Mary J Connell Journal: Pediatr Radiol Date: 2017-01-14
Authors: Julius N Fobil; Robert Kumoji; Henry B Armah; Eunice Aryee; Francis Bilson; Derick Carboo; Frederick K Rodrigues; Christian G Meyer; Juergen May; Alexander Kraemer Journal: J Public Health Afr Date: 2011-03-04