Gender disparities in adult patients undergoing emergency appendicectomy: A comparative analysis.

Abstract

Background: Emergency appendicectomy (EA) is a common procedure, yet few studies have focused on gender differences in these patients. This study aims to evaluate the demographics, preoperative investigations, intraoperative findings, and clinical outcomes between males and females undergoing EA.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective observational study was conducted across four hospitals involving patients who underwent EA between August 2018 and November 2025. Patients were identified through pathology records, and data were collected on demographics, preoperative blood tests, imaging, operative details, and clinical outcomes and results compared.

Results: 1128 patients were included, with 57.5% being male. Males were younger (median age: 34 vs 40 years, P < .001). There was no significant difference in preoperative white cell or neutrophil counts, although males had lower C-reactive protein levels (median 72 vs 97, P < .001). Females were more likely to undergo pre-operative imaging, including ultrasound (20.7% vs 1.5%, P < .001) and CT scans (61.8% vs 54.9%, P = .020). Open surgery was more common in males (14% vs 6.5%, P < .001). No differences were observed in the severity of appendicitis, negative EA rates, hospital stay duration, postoperative complications, or 30-day readmission rates.

Conclusions: Although differences exist between genders in terms of age, imaging usage, and surgical approach, clinical outcomes are comparable.