Appendicitis in the aged. Is it really different?

The case reports, operative findings, and results of surgery in 77 patients aged 60 years and older who underwent surgery for histologically proven acute appendicitis were analyzed. Based on this analysis, it was concluded that the clinical picture of appendicitis in the aged does not differ from that observed in younger patients. However, in the aged the disease course seems to be more rapidly progressing toward perforation and abscess formation. An aggressive diagnostic attitude and early surgery seem the sole means by which mortality and morbidity of appendicitis in the aged can be lowered.