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The surgical pathology of the appendix in South African blacks
1Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, Medunsa, South Africa.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the type of pathology seen in appendices removed for acute appendicitis.
Design:
A retrospective study.
Settings:
Department of Anatomical Pathology at Ga-Rankuwa/Medunsa Academic Complex, Gauteng Province, South Africa.
Subjects:
408 Black patients who had appendectomy at Garankuwa Hospital.
Main Outcome Measures:
Prevalence of appendicitis.
Results:
Appendicitis was diagnosed in 65.7% of the cases of which 25% showed perforation. The disease was common in males and was predominantly seen in the second decade. Parasites were seen in 3.4% of cases and two benign tumours were seen.
Conclusion:
Appendicitis is common amongst urban South African Blacks and the pattern of the disease is similar to that observed in other African urban centres.