INTRODUCTION: The low frequency of acute appendicitis in patients over 40 years old suggests that a better analysis is necessary. METHOD: We have made a Cohort in 1343 patients submitted to appendectomy from 2001 to 2005. Patients were divided in two groups: over (n = 217) and under (n = 1126) 40 years old. The Evangelico Hospital Colorectal Data Base was accessed to give surgical, histopathologic and clinical outcome. RESULTS: In the over 40 group, surgical findings demonstrated edematous appendicitis in 42.85% and suppuration in 26.72%. Median incision was used in 39.17% and the average hospital stay was 4.65 days. In the under 40 group, surgical findings demonstrated edematous appendicitis in 24.5% and suppuration in 32.6%. Median incision was used in 11.90% and average admission time was 3.35 days. CONCLUSION: Patients over 40 presented more complexes cases, probably because of the low suspicion index.
appendicitis; appendectomy; aged; surgery
