What is acute appendicitis, and what is its typical epidemiology?

Acute appendicitis is acute inflammation of the vermiform appendix and the most common cause of an acute abdomen. It is rare in infants, common in childhood and early adult life, peaking in the teens to early 20s. The male-to-female ratio is about 1:1 before puberty and 3:2 in young adults.

Clinical relevance. Knowing appendicitis is the commonest acute abdomen keeps it high on the differential for acute abdominal pain.

More Detail

Acute appendicitis: overview

Acute appendicitis is the commonest abdominal surgical emergency and a key differential in any patient with acute abdominal pain.

What it is

• Acute inflammation of the vermiform appendix, the most common cause of an 'acute abdomen'.

Epidemiology

• Rare in infants (and uncommon under 3 years).
• Common in childhood and early adult life; peak incidence in the teens to early 20s.
• Sex ratio (M:F): about 1:1 prepubertal, 3:2 in young adults.

Why it matters

• Prompt recognition and appendicectomy prevent perforation and peritonitis.