[Means of reducing mortality in acute appendicitis]

The results of operative interventions conducted for acute appendicitis in 81,656 patients are analysed. Postoperative mortality reduced from 0.2 to 0.08% in the last decade. Peritonitis and intraabdominal abscesses accounted for 60.9% of fatal outcomes, thrombosis of the pulmonary artery--for 7.8%, intestinal fistulas--for 2.6%, and hemorrhages--for 1.7%. Improved training of doctors of emergency ambulance service, district medical officers, pediatricians, and specialists in infectious diseases in the diagnosis of acute surgical diseases is a reliable reserve in reducing the frequency of diagnostic errors in patients with acute appendicitis.