RESUMO
Introduction Appendicitis is a common surgical condition that can be difficult to diagnose due to its varied clinical presentations. Surgical removal of the inflamed appendix is often necessary, and the appendix is sent for histopathological assessment to confirm the diagnosis. However, in some cases, the analysis may return a negative result for acute inflammation, known as a negative appendicectomy (NA). The definition of NA varies among experts. While negative appendicectomies are not ideal, they are accepted by surgeons to reduce the rate of perforated appendicitis, which can have severe consequences for patients. A study was conducted to investigate the rates of negative appendicectomies and their impact at a local district general hospital in Cavan, Republic of Ireland. Methods The study was conducted retrospectively from January 2014 to December 2019 on patients who were admitted with suspected appendicitis and underwent appendicectomy for appendicitis, regardless of age and sex. The researchers excluded patients who underwent elective, interval, and incidental appendicectomies. Data were collected on patient demographics, duration of symptoms prior to presentation, the intraoperative appearance of the appendix, and the histology results of the appendix specimens. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-squared test were used for data analysis with the help of IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26. Results The study retrospectively reviewed 876 patients who underwent an appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis between January 2014 and December 2019. The age distribution of patients was non-uniform, with 72% presenting before the third decade. The overall perforated appendicitis rate was 7.08%, and the overall negative appendicectomy (NA) rate was 21.3%. A subset analysis showed a statistically significant lower NA rate in females than in males. The NA rate decreased significantly over time and has been sustained since 2014 at around 10%, which is consistent with other published studies. The majority of the histology findings were uncomplicated appendicitis. Discussion This article discusses the challenges of diagnosing appendicitis and the need to reduce unnecessary surgeries. Laparoscopic appendectomy is the standard treatment, with an average cost of £2222.53 per patient in the UK. However, patients with negative appendicectomies (NA) have longer hospital stays and higher morbidity than uncomplicated cases, making it crucial to reduce unnecessary surgeries. The clinical diagnosis of appendicitis is not always straightforward, and the rate of perforated appendicitis increases with a longer duration of symptoms, particularly pain. The selective use of imaging in suspected appendicitis could reduce NA rates, but a statistical difference has not been proven. Scoring systems like the Alvarado score have limitations and cannot be relied upon alone. Retrospective studies have limitations, and biases and confounding variables must be considered. Conclusion The study found that a thorough investigation of patients, particularly with preoperative imaging, can decrease the rate of unnecessary appendectomies without increasing the rate of perforation. This could save costs and reduce harm to patients.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Early laparoscopic cholesyctectomy is the procedure of choice for acute cholecystitis; however, the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis in a community hospital setting is not always a simple matter. METHODS: A retrospective review of 70 patients who have been admitted through the A&E department with the symptomatic gall bladder stones between July 2002 and May 2003. RESULTS: To diagnose acute cholecystitis, as a single test, the sensitivity and the predictive value of the clinical-based diagnosis were 72.72% and 57.1%, respectively, higher than ultrasonography-based diagnosis 27.2% and 42.8%, respectively. The diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was 100% correct in 5 patients when the clinical diagnosis, ultrasound, and abnormal liver function test suggested the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. The same was true for the diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis in 15 patients when the clinical picture and the ultrasound together with a normal liver function test supported the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed history and clinical examination are superior to ultrasonography for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. In a community hospital setting, a combination of clinical, radiologic, and laboratory tests are needed to accurately diagnose or exclude acute cholecystitis.