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Is acute appendicitis different in patients with sickle cell disease?
A H Al-Salem1, Z S Qureshi, S Qaisarudin
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Qatif Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
Pediatric Surgery International
|June 13, 1998
Summary
Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients undergoing appendectomy show a high perforation rate. Sickled red blood cells (RBCs) rapidly cause appendiceal vessel blockage and necrosis.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Hematology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder.
- Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.
- SCD may alter the presentation and progression of appendicitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of acute appendicitis in patients with sickle cell disease.
- To compare appendicitis in SCD patients with the general population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of nine SCD patients with acute appendicitis.
- Analysis of surgical and histological findings.
- Comparison with institutional appendectomy data.
Main Results:
- SCD patients accounted for 0.43% of appendectomies.
- 66.7% of SCD patients had perforated appendices.
- Histology showed sickled RBCs blocking vessels, leading to transmural necrosis.
Conclusions:
- Acute appendicitis in SCD is uncommon but progresses rapidly.
- High perforation rates are linked to sickled RBCs obstructing appendiceal vasculature.
- SCD significantly impacts appendicitis pathology and outcomes.