Postoperative Complications Following Appendectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Background Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency with a global incidence rate of approximately 8%, necessitating prompt intervention to prevent complications. Appendectomy, either through open surgery or laparoscopy, is the standard treatment. Understanding the factors contributing to post-appendectomy complications is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Aim This retrospective study aimed to assess the surgical outcomes of various surgical approaches for appendicitis in Taif City, Saudi Arabia, specifically at King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital. Methodology A total of 220 patients who underwent appendectomy in 2022 were included in the study. Data were obtained from medical files, and statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were utilized, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results The majority of patients fell within the 20-39 age group (n = 124, 56.4%), and males constituted 63% (n = 140) of the cohort. Mean complications post-surgery were observed in 5.5% (n = 12) of cases, with surgical site infection being the most common complication (n = 9, 75%). Patients with complicated appendicitis had a significantly higher rate of surgical complications (n = 8, 44.4%) compared to those without complicated appendicitis (n = 4, 2%, p = 0.000). Longer hospital stays were associated with a higher incidence of complications (p = 0.008). The American Society of Anesthesiologists classification showed a significant association with complications (p = 0.000). Conclusions Our study underscores the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate surgical management, and infection prevention strategies in reducing post-appendectomy complications. Factors such as complicated appendicitis, longer hospital stays, and higher ASA classification were associated with increased complication rates.