Risk Assessment

There are currently no risk assessment tools widely used in practice that predict morbidity and mortality in patients who present with appendicitis. What is known is that patients with a perforated appendix are at higher risk of complications and death, therefore it is vital to try and make the diagnosis in a timely fashion and to recognise that children, elderly patients and pregnant patients are at higher risk because of diagnostic difficulties.

Learning bite

Unnecessary delays to theatre can lead to an increased rate of perforation of the appendix and worse outcomes in patients with appendicitis.