[Epidemiological data on appendicitis]

Various statistical data on the assessment of the appendicitis situation in the Federal Republic of Germany (BRD) and the GDR in recent years are drawn upon which show that the mortality rate in the BRD has declined by almost 40% since 1970. The number of hospital cases of appendicitis has been constant since 1965 among those insured by the Regional Insurance bodies, but a marked increase occured in children between 1966 and 1969. In the GRD there was a marked reduction in hospital cases of appendicitis between 1969 and 1973. The period of hospitalization for this disease reduced in the BRD by an average of less than one day within 13 years. The heavy load on hospitals and insurance companies, and consequently on the entire national economy, due to the high rates of appendicitis in comparison to other countries and the very long average duration of hospitalization should be reasons enough for stricter indication with the aim of preventing unnecessary deaths and unneccessary operations.