EP.FRI.580 Negative appendectomy rates at a district regional hospital

Abstract

Abstract Aim Emergency appendectomy is one of the most common emergency procedures done. Negative appendectomy rates vary and the aim was to identify the rate of it at a DGH. Method Appendectomy cases at a small regional hospital were during a 2-year period (2017-2018) were included. Elective and interval appendectomies were excluded. Histopathology findings were noted. Results 78 patient had an emergency appendectomy, of which 87% (n = 68) had it done laparoscopically. Normal appendix on pathology was found in 13.8% (n = 12) of the removed appendices. They were all removed laprascopically. The majority were females (n = 11) compared to males (n = 1). 58% of the normal appendix (n = 7) were identified as a macroscopically normal appendix. 36% of the females were mid-cycle (n = 4). The mean WBC on admission was 9.5 (4.8-13.6 x109/L) . All of the females had a transabdominal USS as initial investigation but was inconclusive. Conclusion Negative appendectomy rates are still high in female patients, whether doing further scans such as TVUSS or CTAP might reduce the risks of getting a negative appendectomy, needs to be discussed and tailored to each case, as the majority are young patients in the reproductive age group.