Abstract
Objective
To detect frequency of perforated appendicitis and association with duration of symptoms.
Patients and Methods
This observational study was conducted in surgical unit I of Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi. It comprised of 150 cases. Sampling technique was non probability convenience.
Result
Out of 150 cases, 47 (31.3%) had perforated appendicitis while 103 (69.7%) had simple acute appendicitis. 90 patients were male while 60 patients were female. 40 patients (85.1%) of perforated appendicitis had symptoms for more than 24 hours while 7 (14.9%) patients of perforated appendicitis had symptoms for less than 24 hours. Complications were high in the perforated appendicitis as compared to non perforated appendicitis. Average hospital stay in perforated appendicitis was 3.33 days while in the non perforated appendicitis it was 1.75 days. No mortality occurred.
Conclusion
Perforation of appendix was a common complication of acute appendicitis. It resulted in high incidence of wound infection, chest infection, wound dehiscence and urinary tract infection as compared to non perforated appendicitis. (Rawal Med J 2011;36:97-99).

Key words: Appendicitis, perforated appendicitis, peritonitis.