The Impact of Smoking on the Complications of Acute Appendicitis

Abstract Introduction The pathophysiology of appendicitis likely stems from obstruction of the appendiceal orifice leading to an increase in intraluminal and intramural pressure, resulting in small vessel occlusion and lymphatic stasis. Organ supplied by an end artery, such as the appendix, are more prone to the deleterious effects of arterial occlusion. The continuous cigarette smoking might be associated with a greater risk for developing atherosclerosis. Objectives The aim is to evaluate the effect of cigarette smoking on the incidence of complications of acute appendicitis. Methods Patients suffered from symptoms and signs suggesting acute appendicitis were examined and investigated. a multiple items collecting data questionnaire including smoking status and exclusion of confounders were constructed. The complicated and non-complicated appendicitis were compared concerning their smoking status. Results Seventy-two Patients were included in this study; the mean age of studied patients was 24.13 ± 9.1 years. The age of 57% of patients were below the mean age and considered as younger age group, while the remaining 43% of patients were equal or above the mean age which considered as older age group. Thirty-three percentage of patients had ≥ 36 hours prehospital delay and considered as delay group, while the remaining 67% of patients had < 36 hours prehospital delay which considered no delay group, males constitute 54% of studied patients. smokers constitute 29% while the remaining 71% of studied patients were nonsmokers, 61.9% of the smokers developed complications of appendicitis. Conclusion Perforated acute appendicitis is higher among current tobacco smokers.