Emergent Versus Urgent Uncomplicated Appendicectomy at Al-Diwaniayh Teaching Hospital

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen in young adults, with surgery as the standard treatment. Recent studies suggest conservative management for uncomplicated cases, though the optimal timing for surgery remains debated. This prospective cohort study at Al-Diwaniayh Teaching Hospital, conducted between November 2021 and December 2022, compared outcomes of patients undergoing surgery within 10 hours (emergent) versus after 10 hours (urgent). Of 839 patients, 725 met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 25.48 years. Group 1 (406 patients) and Group 2 (319 patients) showed no significant differences in white blood cell counts, operative times, or post-operative outcomes, including length of hospital stay and complications. These findings suggest that for uncomplicated acute appendicitis, appendectomy can be safely performed within 24 hours, allowing flexibility based on hospital resources without increased risks of complications.