RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PERFORATED APPENDICITIS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS

Abstract

The incidence of appendiceal rupture, or complications secondary to appendiceal rupture, in elderly patients may be decreased if surgery is expedited when the temperature is >38 degrees C or there is a left shift in leucocyte count >76%, especially in men with anorexia.