[Causes of postoperative mortality in acute appendicitis]

The authors analyse 14,041 patients who were operated on for acute appendicitis, 41 (0.29%) of whom died. Among the patients who died 56.1% were of elderly and old age. Delayed call for the doctor and diagnostic errors of the medical personnel are the main causes of postoperative mortality. It is pointed out that the therapeutic-tactical and therapeutic-technical errors of surgeons are due to an atypical course of appendicitis and its complications, marked pathomorphological changes in the abdominal cavity, insufficient qualification of young surgeons, and unjustified refusal of the help of experienced specialists.