BACKGROUND: The goal was to ascertain if there was a significant change in the negative appendectomy (NA) rate in our community hospital with the increased use of computed tomography (CT). METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all appendectomies for acute disease performed at our institution from January 2000 to December 2002. There is no established protocol; therefore, CT scans were performed at the discretion of the involved physicians. The results of the physical exams, CT scans and pathology were recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-nine appendectomies were performed for appendicitis. There was a progressive increase in the use of CT: 52% in 2000, 74% in 2001, and 86% in 2002. There was also a decrease in the NA rate over the 3 years: 17% in 2000, 9% in 2001 and 2% in 2002. The perforated appendicitis rate decreased from 25% in 2000 to 9% in 2002. CONCLUSION: The appropriate utilization of CT scan as an aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis should decrease the NA rate to 2%.
BACKGROUND: The goal was to ascertain if there was a significant change in the negative appendectomy (NA) rate in our community hospital with the increased use of computed tomography (CT). METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all appendectomies for acute disease performed at our institution from January 2000 to December 2002. There is no established protocol; therefore, CT scans were performed at the discretion of the involved physicians. The results of the physical exams, CT scans and pathology were recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-nine appendectomies were performed for appendicitis. There was a progressive increase in the use of CT: 52% in 2000, 74% in 2001, and 86% in 2002. There was also a decrease in the NA rate over the 3 years: 17% in 2000, 9% in 2001 and 2% in 2002. The perforated appendicitis rate decreased from 25% in 2000 to 9% in 2002. CONCLUSION: The appropriate utilization of CT scan as an aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis should decrease the NA rate to 2%.
Authors: Vlad V Simianu; Anna Shamitoff; Daniel S Hippe; Benjamin D Godwin; Jabi E Shriki; Frederick T Drake; Ryan B O'Malley; Suresh Maximin; Sarah Bastawrous; Mariam Moshiri; Jean H Lee; Carlos Cuevas; Manjiri Dighe; David Flum; Puneet Bhargava Journal: Curr Probl Diagn Radiol Date: 2016-08-02
Authors: Frederick Thurston Drake; Michael G Florence; Morris G Johnson; Gregory J Jurkovich; Steve Kwon; Zeila Schmidt; Richard C Thirlby; David R Flum Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2012-10 Impact factor: 12.969