Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts acute appendicitis and distinguishes between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectivesto investigate whether Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can predict acute appendicitis and whether it can distinguish between uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis.MethodsA search of electronic information sources was conducted to identify all studies reporting NLR in patients with clinical suspicion or confirmed diagnosis of acute appendicitis. We considered two comparisons:1) appendicitis versus no appendicitis; 2) uncomplicated appendicitis versus complicated appendicitis. ROC curve analysis was performed to determine cut-off values of NLR for appendicitis and complicated appendicitis.ResultsSeventeen studies, enrolling 8,914 patients were included. NLR of 4.7 was cut-off value for appendicitis with sensitivity of 88.89% and specificity of 90.91% with AUC of 0.96. NLR of 8.8 was cut-off value for complicated appendicitis with sensitivity of 76.92% and specificity 100% with AUC of 0.91. NLR >4.7 was predictor of acute appendicitis (OR:128,P < 0.0001) and, NLR >8.8 was predictor of complicated appendicitis (OR:43,P < 0.0001).ConclusionsNLR predicts both diagnosis and severity of appendicitis. This may have implications for prioritising cases for surgery, for monitoring conservatively treated patients and for patients who do not routinely undergo CT scan (pregnant or paediatric patients).     

Appendicectomies performed >48 hours after admission to a dedicated acute general surgical unit

IntroductionAcute general surgical units (AGSUs) are changing the way in which acute appendicitis is managed. In the AGSU at John Hunter Hospital, some patients wait more than 48 hours from admission to undergo an appendicectomy, usually because they are not unwell enough to precipitate an operation before that time. We analysed this subgroup of appendicectomy patients to determine how effectively they are being managed and how this might be improved.MethodsA retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted of all patients who received an appendicectomy while admitted under the AGSU at John Hunter Hospital in the five years between January 2009 and December 2013.ResultsA total of 1,039 appendicectomies were performed in the study period, with 81 patients (7.8%) waiting >48 hours for their operation (delayed appendicectomy group). Overall, the negative appendicectomy (NA) rate was 21.6%; the NA rate in delayed appendicectomies was 50.62% and a non-therapeutic operation occurred in 47% of this group (n=38). No significant difference was found in the incidence of perforation/gangrenous appendicitis between patients having surgery in <48 hours and the delayed appendicectomy groups (11.2% vs 9.9%, p=0.85). A combination of negative diagnostic imaging result, a normal white cell count and normal C-reactive protein (ie a negative ‘triple test’) was the best predictor of a negative appendicectomy (p=0.0158, negative predictive value: 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 0.59–0.99), in the delayed appendicectomy group.ConclusionsIn the delayed appendicectomy group, the incidence of perforation/gangrenous appendicitis was not significantly different from that found in patients having appendicectomy performed sooner. However, the NA and non-therapeutic operation rates were unacceptably high. An appendix triple test can improve diagnostic accuracy significantly without an unacceptable rise in the rates of perforation/gangrenous appendicitis.     

Initial nonoperative management for periappendiceal abscess

PURPOSE: Our goal was to compare initial operative and nonoperative management for periappendiceal abscess complicating appendicitis. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of 155 consecutive patients with appendicitis complicated by periappendiceal abscess treated between 1992 and 1998. Eighty-eight patients were treated initially nonoperatively, and 67 patients were treated operatively. All patients had localized abdominal tenderness and either computed tomography or intraoperative documentation of an abscess. RESULTS: Our patient population consisted of 107 males and 48 females, with an average age of 33 (range, 16–75) years. Age, gender, comorbidity, white blood cell count, temperature, and heart rate did not differ significantly between groups. For the initial nonoperative management group, the failure rate was 5.8 percent and the appendicitis recurrence rate was 8 percent after a mean follow-up of 36 weeks. The response to treatment of the initial nonoperative group and the initial operative group was compared by length of stay (9±5 daysvs. 9±3 days;P=not significant), days until white blood cell count normalized (3.8±4 daysvs. 3.1±3 days;P=not significant), days until temperature normalized (3.2±3 daysvs. 3.1±2 days;P=not significant), and days until a regular diet was tolerated (4.7±4 daysvs. 4.6±3 days;P=not significant). Complication rate was significantly lower in the nonoperative group (17vs. 36 percent;P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Initial nonoperative management of appendicitis complicated by periappendiceal abscess is safe and effective. Patients undergoing initial nonoperative management have a lower rate of complications, but they are at risk for recurrent appendicitis.Poster presentation at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Boston, Massachusetts, June 24 to 29, 2000.     

腹腔镜阑尾切除术治疗急慢性阑尾炎的效果观察

目的通过观察天津南开医院,天津海河医院收治的阑尾炎疾病患者的临床资料,探讨分析使用腹腔镜阑尾切除术治疗该类疾病的临床效果。方法选取两所医院收治的100例阑尾炎患者,均包括急性阑尾炎及慢性阑尾炎,将所选患者分为腹腔镜手术治疗组（LA组）与开腹手术治疗组（OA组）,每组均50例,对两组的相关临床治疗过程资料进行回顾性对比分析。结果本次研究的LA组患者手术所用时间为（42．6±9．8）min,平均住院所用时间为（4．3±1．5）d,与OA组相比差异有统计学意义,此外在术中出血量、术后排气时间,以及术后并发症发生情况方面,两组差异均具有统计学意义,且LA组患者治疗前后效果对比显著。结论采用腹腔镜手术治疗阑尾炎疾病,具有安全可靠性高、手术疤痕小、创伤轻微、手术时间短、伤口感染率低以及病情恢复快等诸多优点,可以避免传统开腹手术的一些弊端,产生的临床效果显著,值得临床上进一步推广研究与应用。     

2％聚维酮碘凡士林纱布在预防阑尾切除术后切口感染中的应用研究

目的 评价2%聚维酮碘凡士林纱布预防阑尾切除术后切口感染临床疗效。方法 2015年11月至2017年3月河北省沧州中西医结合医院收治的阑尾炎180例,区组随机化分为两组,观察组90例以2%聚维酮碘凡士林纱布围绕切口,对照组90例以0.5% 聚维酮碘溶液浸洗切口,比较两组病人术后切口感染率、伤口拆线时间、住院时间以及病人满意度。结果 对照组有10例病人发生切口感染,发生率为11.11%,治疗组术后有3例病人发生切口感染,发生率为3.33%(χ²=4.063,P<0.05);治疗组病人的伤口拆线时间(t=6.499)以及住院时间(t=4.348)显著优于对照组(P<0.05);对照组满意人数为74例,满意率为82.22%,治疗组满意人数为83例,满意率为92.22%(χ²=4.038,P<0.05)。结论 阑尾炎切除术中使用2%聚维酮碘凡士林纱布,能显著降低阑尾炎切口感染率,有利于病人病情康复,缩短病人住院时间,提高病人满意,值得临床进一步研究。     

Nematode infection: A rare mimic of acute appendicitis

INTRODUCTION

Acute appendicitis is a common condition seen in all surgical units. One rare condition that can mimic acute appendicitis is a nematode infection of the bowel. There have been few reported cases of nematode infection within the appendix and none that have been accompanied by intra-operative pictures.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 16-year-old female presented with a 12 h history of right iliac fossa pain and mild pyrexia. Bloods showed a neutrophilia and normal C-reactive protein. Laparoscopy was performed which revealed a non-inflamed appendix. The appendix was dissected and a live nematode was visualised exiting the base of the appendix. Anti-helminthics were given and the infection resolved.

DISCUSSION

Nematode infection is most commonly seen in Africa, Asia and South America. When seen within the United Kingdom (UK), it is seen most commonly within high-risk populations. Testing for these infections is not routine within the UK and when they are performed, the results take a considerable amount of time to return. These tests should be considered within high-risk populations so that unnecessary surgery can be avoided.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of considering rare causes of right iliac fossa pain including nematode infection in a young patient. The case highlights this by giving intra-operative pictures of live nematodes upon dissection of the appendix.     

降钙素原对儿童急性阑尾炎严重程度的预测价值

目的 评价降钙素原（PCT）对儿童急性阑尾炎严重程度的预测价值.方法 收集2011年10月至2012年3月我们收治的93例诊断为急性阑尾炎的患儿临床资料,包括年龄、性别、入院时PCT及CRP、并发症（腹腔脓肿、肠梗阻）、住院时间等.根据手术所见或病理检查结果将患儿分为急性阑尾炎组和急性阑尾炎伴局限性或弥漫性腹膜炎组.结果 急性阑尾炎组53例,腹膜炎组40例.腹膜炎组出现并发症的比例高于急性阑尾炎组,住院时间较长,且PCT、CRP水平显著高于急性阑尾炎组（PCT：0.43 vs 3.37 ng/mL,P＜0.001,CRP：3.0vs13.8 mg/L,P＜0.001）.在诊断腹膜炎的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值方面,当PCT以0.93 ng/mL为阈值时,分别为85.0％、91.6％、88.3％、89.0％,而CRP以4.05 mg/L为阈值时,分别为90.0％、67.9％、67.9％、90.0％.结论 入院时PCT及CRP对儿童急性阑尾炎的严重程度具有一定的预测价值,且PCT性能略优于CRP.     

腹腔镜阑尾切除术操作方法的探讨(附150例报告)

目的：探讨腹腔镜阑尾切除术（laparoscopic appendectomy,LA）中阑尾系膜的处理方法.方法：我院采用“阑尾系膜撕脱法”累计实施LA150例,其中慢性阑尾炎36例,急性单纯性阑尾炎48例,急性化脓性阑尾炎52例,坏疽穿孔性阑尾炎14例.结果：全组均顺利完成阑尾系膜的处理,1～2min即可完成,术中术后无出血发生.结论：阑尾系膜撕脱法较其他方法更快速、安全可靠.     

Non-obstetrical acute abdomen during pregnancy

Acute abdomen in pregnancy remains one of the most challenging diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas today. The incidence of acute abdomen during pregnancy is 1 in 500-635 pregnancies. Despite advancements in medical technology, preoperative diagnosis of acute abdominal conditions is still inaccurate. Laboratory parameters are not specific and often altered as a physiologic consequence of pregnancy. Use of laparoscopic procedures as diagnostic tools makes diagnosis of such conditions earlier, more accurate, and safer. Appendicitis is the most common cause of the acute abdomen during pregnancy, occurring with a usual frequency of 1 in 500-2000 pregnancies, which amounts to 25% of operative indications for non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy. Surgical treatment is indicated in most cases, as in nonpregnant women. Laparoscopic procedures in the treatment of acute abdomen in pregnancy proved safe and accurate, and in selected groups of patients are becoming the procedures of choice with a perspective for the widening of such indications with more frequent use and subsequent optimal results. Despite these advances, laparotomy still remains the procedure of choice in complicated and uncertain cases.