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Do you need a computed tomographic scan to evaluate suspected appendicitis in young men: an administrative database
Abhijit Shaligram1, Pradeep Pallati, Anton Simorov
1Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985126 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5126, USA.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of computed tomographic (CT) scans of the abdomen on clinical outcomes and costs in young male patients presenting with suspected appendicitis.
Methods:
Discharge data from the University HealthSystem Consortium was accessed for all male patients between 18 and 55 years of age from October 2007 to June 2011.
Results:
Of a total of 13,228 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 11,340 (85%) were assessed using a CT scan of the abdomen, whereas 1,888 (15%) did not undergo CT evaluation. Patients undergoing CT imaging compared with those without a CT scan had less morbidity (.86% vs 2.2%, P < .0001) and fewer 30-day readmissions (1.8% vs 5.13%, P < .0001). However, CT imaging resulted in a higher overall length of hospital stay and a higher total cost.
Conclusions:
This study suggests that in young men with suspected appendicitis, the use of an abdominal CT scan is associated with improved immediate postoperative complications, lower readmission rates with observed higher length of stay, and increased cost of care.
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