ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Lintula score in reducing negative appendectomies in the adult population. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Surgical Department, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from August 2012 to April 2014. METHODOLOGY: A total of 408 emergency patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis were included in the study. True or negative appendectomy status was determined per-operatively. Lintula score was calculated afterwards and evaluated for various cut-off points. RESULTS: Among the study population, 72 (17.6%) had a normal appendix by operative assessment and 336 (82.4%) had an acutely inflammed appendix. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the optimal cut-off point was ≤ 21 with 100% sensitivity, 88.4% specificity and positive and negative predictive values of 97.3% and 100%, respectively. Area under the curve was 0.963 with 90.4% overall accuracy. CONCLUSION: Utilizing the Lintula cut-off point of ≤ 21, negative appendectomies, unnecessary admissions and healthcare cost can all be reduced.