Comparison of men and women presenting to an ED with acute appendicitis

Appendicitis is a common problem presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). Missed or delayed diagnosis can result in increased morbidity and is a common cause of malpractice claims. Diagnosis in women is more difficult because of additional clinical considerations. The study hypothesis is that women with appendicitis presenting to an ED experience a longer delay to operative intervention resulting in an increased rate of perforated appendix. A retrospective chart review of 196 male and female patients between twelve and fifty years of age presenting to the ED with final discharge diagnosis of appendicitis was performed. Mean time from ED presentation to operative intervention was 477 minutes for men and 709 minutes for women (P = .02). Perforated appendix was present in 38.7% of men and 23.5% of women (P = .002). Women with appendicitis presenting to an ED experience significant delay to surgery, however, this is not associated with an increased rate of perforation.