OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the type of pathology seen in appendices removed for acute appendicitis. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTINGS: Department of Anatomical Pathology at Ga-Rankuwa/Medunsa Academic Complex, Gauteng Province, South Africa. SUBJECTS: 408 Black patients who had appendectomy at Garankuwa Hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of appendicitis. RESULTS: Appendicitis was diagnosed in 65.7% of the cases of which 25% showed perforation. The disease was common in males and was predominantly seen in the second decade. Parasites were seen in 3.4% of cases and two benign tumours were seen. CONCLUSION: Appendicitis is common amongst urban South African Blacks and the pattern of the disease is similar to that observed in other African urban centres.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the type of pathology seen in appendices removed for acute appendicitis. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTINGS: Department of Anatomical Pathology at Ga-Rankuwa/Medunsa Academic Complex, Gauteng Province, South Africa. SUBJECTS: 408 Black patients who had appendectomy at Garankuwa Hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of appendicitis. RESULTS:Appendicitis was diagnosed in 65.7% of the cases of which 25% showed perforation. The disease was common in males and was predominantly seen in the second decade. Parasites were seen in 3.4% of cases and two benign tumours were seen. CONCLUSION:Appendicitis is common amongst urban South African Blacks and the pattern of the disease is similar to that observed in other African urban centres.