Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdomen. Whereas patients with a complicated form of appendicitis need prompt surgery, short preoperative delays are tolerable for patients with uncomplicated appendicitis. Delays of up to 8 h between hospital admission and beginning of surgery are not associated with increased rates of perforation or postoperative complications.
Keywords: Appendicectomy; Course of disease; Postoperative complications; Rates of perforation; Timing of surgery.