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Delaying surgery to perform CT scans for suspected appendicitis decreases the rate of negative appendectomies without increasing the rate of perforation nor postoperative complications

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Abstract

Purpose

Negative appendectomies are costly and are embedded with unnecessary risks for the patients. A careful indication for surgery seems mandatory even more so, since conservative therapy emerges as a potential alternative to surgery. The aims of this population-based study were to analyze whether radiological examinations for suspected appendicitis decreased the rate of negative appendectomies without increasing the rate of perforation or worsening postoperative outcomes.

Method

This study is a retrospective analysis of a prospective population-based database. The data collection included preoperative investigations and intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.

Results

Based on 2559 patients, the rate of negative appendectomies decreased significantly with the use of CT scan as compared to clinical evaluation only (9.3 vs 5 %, p = 0.019), whereas ultrasonography alone was not able to decrease this rate (9.3 vs 6.2 %, p = 0.074). Delaying surgery for radiological investigation did not increase the rate of perforation (18.1 vs 19.2 %; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.01; 0.8–1.3; p = 0.899). Postoperative complications (surgical reintervention, postoperative wound infection, postoperative hematoma, postoperative intra-abdominal abscess, postoperative ileus) were all comparable.

Conclusion

In this population-based study, CT scan was the only radiological modality that significantly reduced the rate of negative appendectomy. The delay induced by such additional imaging did not increase perforation nor complication rates. Abdominal CT scans for suspected appendicitis should therefore be more frequently used if clinical findings are unconclusive.

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Authors’ contributions

M.-O. Sauvain: Study conception and design, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of manuscript

K. Slankamenac: Analysis and interpretation of data

M. K. Muller: Critical revision of manuscript, drafting of manuscript

S. Wildi: Critical revision of manuscript

U. Metzger: Critical revision of manuscript

M. Decurtins: Critical revision of manuscript

W. Schmid: Critical revision of manuscript

J. Wydler: Critical revision of manuscript

P.-A. Clavien: Critical revision of manuscript

D. Hahnloser: Study conception and design, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of manuscript

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

    M.-O. Sauvain, K. Slankamenac, P.-A. Clavien & D. Hahnloser

  2. Department of Visceral Surgery, University Hospital CHUV, Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland

    M.-O. Sauvain & D. Hahnloser

  3. Cantonal Hospital Frauenfeld, Frauenfeld, Switzerland

    M. K. Muller

  4. Department of Surgery, Waid Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland

    S. Wildi

  5. Department of Surgery Triemli Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland

    U. Metzger

  6. Hospital Zollikerberg, Zürich, Switzerland

    W. Schmid

  7. Hospital Männedorf, Zürich, Switzerland

    J. Wydler

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  1. M.-O. Sauvain
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Correspondence to D. Hahnloser.

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Sauvain, MO., Slankamenac, K., Muller, M.K. et al. Delaying surgery to perform CT scans for suspected appendicitis decreases the rate of negative appendectomies without increasing the rate of perforation nor postoperative complications. Langenbecks Arch Surg 401, 643–649 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-016-1444-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-016-1444-x

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