INTRODUCTION:

The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic features of the patients underwent appendectomy with clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis (AA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The medical records of 581 patients who underwent appendectomy for suspected AA in 2008 were evaluated retrospectively. Their clinical, laboratory, radiological and histopathologic features were reviewed.

RESULTS:

495 were enrolled in this study. Of these, 462 patients (89%) had AA and 33 patients (7%) did not. In patients with AA, all patients had abdominal pain and the other symptoms were nausea and vomiting. Physical examinations findings were tenderness (in all patients), rebound and fever. Leukocytes in the patients with AA were determined in 407 patients (88%). In patients without AA, all patients had abdominal pain and the other symptoms were nausea and vomiting. Physical examinations findings were tenderness (in all patients), rebound and fever. Leukocytosis in the patients without AA was determined in 20 patients (61%). The leukocyte counts of the patients with AA was higher than the patients without AA, (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION:

History and physical examination are still most important diagnostic tools. Also, laboratory findings such as leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage and ultrasonography may be helpful for diagnosis.

Keywords: acute appendicitis, diagnosis