Early post-appendicectomy discharge in Nigerians

Thirty-one Nigerians with uncomplicated acute appendicitis were discharged within forty-eight hours of operation. Before discharge, 3 patients experienced abdominal colics but this did not prolong their hospital stay. 3 patients developed wound infection which, in all cases, manifested more than twenty-four hours after removal of stitches. No patient returned to hospital with any complaints before removal of stitches and there were no re-admissions. 26 patients liked this early discharge while the remaining 5 patients preferred the conventional hospital stay. Early discharge after appendicectomy is safe, has socio-economic benefits and should be more readily practised in the developing countries.