Appendicitis Survey, USAREUR 1959 to 1961

Abstract

Experience with appendicitis in United States Army hospitals in Europe compares very favorably with that in civilian medical centers in the United States, even when the preponderance of young adult males in the military hospital population is taken into consideration. Among 2,902 patients who were treated for appendicitis in 23 hospitals during a 27 month period, the incidence of perforating appendicitis was 12.5 per cent. In 11.8 per cent of the cases a normal appendix was removed. The echeloning of medical care does not appear to be a significant factor in the occurrence of appendiceal perforation.