Causes of a Delayed Appendectomy for Appendicitis

Age of the patient

Is the presentation typical for acute appendicitis?

Is the clinical course typical for acute appendicits?

• delay coming in because the patient did not think it was serious?

• delay coming in because the patient hoped it would get better?

• fail to return for followup despite progression of symptoms?

• fail to return because of weather, distance, concurrent disease, or other cause?

• present during an outbreak of another disease with overlapping symptoms?

• misdiagnose the patient?

• identify another condition that could explain the findings?

• fail to closely follow a patient with an uncertain diagnosis?

• fail to followup with a patient discharged with instructions to return if problems progressed?

• release a patient who is unreliable or unlikely to return?

• inexperienced or lacking in clinical skill?