Abstract

To evaluate the usefulness of the Alvarado scoring system in reducing the percentage of negative appendectomy in our unit. A cross-sectional study was conducted, comprising 110 patients, admitted to Surgical Unit I, Civil Hospital, Karachi, in 2011 with a preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Patients of both sexes and all age groups except younger than 10 years were included in the study and their Alvarado scores calculated, on the basis of which patients were divided into two groups: Group A (Alvarado score <6) and Group B (Alvarado score ≥6). The signs, symptoms, laboratory values, surgical interventions, and pathology reports of each patient were evaluated. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Out of 110 cases (79 males, 31 females), 31 belonged to Group A (28.2%) and 79 belonged to Group B (71.8%). Surgical procedures were performed in 98.2% of cases, along with conservative treatment. Final diagnosis by histopathology was confirmed in 77 cases (71.3%). The overall negative appendectomy rate was 28.7% (males: 28.2%, females: 30%). Sensitivity and specificity of the Alvarado scoring system were found to be 93.5% and 80.6% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 92.3% and 83.3%, respectively, and accuracy was 89.8%. Alvarado score can be used effectively in our setup to reduce the incidence of negative appendectomies. However, its role in females was not satisfactory and needs to be supplemented by other means.

Abstract

Delayed primary (DPC) and primary (PC) wound closures have been applied in ruptured appendicitis, but results were controversial. This study aims at comparing the rate of superficial surgical site infection (SSI) in ruptured appendicitis between DPC and PC. A retrospective cohort of ruptured appendicitis was conducted between October 2006 and November 2009. Demographic, operative findings and postoperative infection data were retrieved. The superficial SSI rates between groups were compared using an exact test. An odds ratio of SSI was then estimated. One-hundred and twenty eight patients with ruptured appendicitis were eligible and their data were retrieved, 115 (90%) patients had received DPC and 13 (10%) patients had received PC. The SSI rate was much lower in PC patients than in DPC patients, i.e., 7.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.02, 36.0] versus 27.8% (95% CI: 19.9, 37.0), respectively. There was an approximately 72% lower risk of SSI in the PC group than in the DPC group, but this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.18). Our study suggested that PC does not increase risk of SSI in low SSI risk patients with ruptured appendicitis. DPC should not be routinely done.