Acute appendicitis among black South Africans.

Acute appendicitis has become the commonest nontrauma-related abdominal surgical emergency at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital. The records of 122 patients undergoing appendicectomy were reviewed. Attention is drawn to late presentation and the high complication rare encountered. Mortality rate (0.8%) and overall diagnostic accuracy (85%) were acceptable. The need for adequate patient education is stressed as a possible measure to reduce high morbidity associated with late presentation.