“The examining physician often hesitates to make the necessary examination because it involves soiling the finger.”—W.J. Mayo, 1915
Summary
The results of rectal examinations of 495 patients with suspected acute appendicitis were correlated with six other variables from the patients' histories and results of physical examinations. Positive rectal examination results were recorded for 46 per cent of all patients with acute appendicitis and for 53 per cent of those with normal appendices. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis should not be based solely or primarily on the results of the rectal examination. The examination should, however, be performed in all suspected cases of appendicitis to rule out gynecologic and urologic disease. “If you don't put your finger in, you put your foot in it.” - H. Bailey, 19732
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Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Diego, California, June 11 to 15, 1978.
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Bonello, J.C., Abrams, J.S. The significance of a “positive” rectal examination in acute appendicitis. Dis Colon Rectum 22, 97–101 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02586770
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02586770