Emergency appendectomies in patients over 80 years.

The outcome of 100 consecutive emergency appendectomies between 1985 and 1991 in octogenarians was compared to an unselected group of equal size, composed of patients between 60-79 and under 59 years. The frequency of appendectomies in the elderly did not increase during the study period. Negative explorations were performed in 28%-33% of the three age groups. The mortality was 0%, 3%, and 7%, and the complication rates 10%, 23%, and 40% in the patients aged under 59, between 60-79, and over 80 years, respectively. Appendiceal perforation was found in 49% of octogenarians, and it was associated with the mortality rate of 21%. In conclusion, patients under 80 years with emergency appendectomy had acceptable low mortality and morbidity rates that were comparable to the results of elective abdominal surgery of the same age, but the octogenarians had higher risk of poor outcome.