Original researchAcute appendicitis in an overweight and obese Mexican population: A retrospective cohort study

- We present the first Mexican case series of overweight and obese patients with AA treated with laparoscopy.
- The laparoscopic approach for acute appendicitis in this group of the population is feasible in our country.

IntroductionMéxico is the second place in overweight and obese adults. Acute appendicitis (AA), is the most common indication for an emergency surgery around the world, with an estimated lifetime incidence of 7-14%. Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has been described as a safe and good surgery approach for this group of patients. Nevertheless, in México, there is not any evidence supporting these outcomes in our population.MethodsAll the patients that came to the ER from July to December 2014 with age >16-year, body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 (overweight) and, BMI >30 kg/m2 (obese) were included in the study. We recorded the age, gender, BMI, grade of appendicitis, complications classified by the Clavien-Dindo Classification, and a follow-up period of 7-day, 30-day, 6-month, and 1-year.Results27 patients met the inclusion criteria, five had overweight (18.5%), and twenty-two were obese (81.5%). No surgical conversion was needed. The overall complications rate was 29.6%%, with 22.2% mild complications and 7.4% of moderate complication. The average in-hospital cost for the procedure was $15,860 MXN (range $12,860-$22,860 MXN). The surgical time was ≈53.7 ± 19.93 h and the LOS ≈1.6 ± 0.6 days.ConclusionThe outcomes in the Mexican adult obese population with acute appendicitis when a laparoscopic appendectomy is performed are as good as reported in other countries.