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Negative appendectomy rate: influence of CT scans
Marcia L McGory1, David S Zingmond, Darshani Nanayakkara
1David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Surgery, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, 72-215 Center for Health Sciences, Box 956904, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6904, USA.
The American Surgeon
|February 14, 2006
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) scans reduce negative appendectomy rates in females but not males. This study analyzed appendicitis diagnosis and CT scan use in over 75,000 patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Diagnostic imaging
- Surgical outcomes
Background:
- Negative appendectomy rates vary by patient demographics.
- The influence of computed tomography (CT) scans on appendicitis diagnosis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the negative appendectomy rate using a statewide database.
- To analyze the association between CT scan utilization and negative appendectomy rates.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of appendectomy cases (n=75,452) from the California Inpatient File (1999-2000).
- Evaluation of demographic data, procedure approach, and appendicitis type.
- Comparison of negative appendectomy rates between patients who received CT scans and those who did not.
Main Results:
- Overall negative appendicitis rate was 9.3%.
- Females had a significantly higher negative appendectomy rate (13.4%) than males (6.0%).
- CT scans were associated with a lower negative appendectomy rate in females, particularly in age groups under 5 and over 45 years.
Conclusions:
- CT scan use is linked to a reduced negative appendectomy rate, with effectiveness varying by sex and age.
- CT scans appear beneficial for diagnosing appendicitis in females across different age groups.
- CT scans did not demonstrate a significant impact on reducing negative appendectomy rates in males.