Appendicitis outcomes with increasing computed tomographic scanning.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to examine appendicitis outcomes over time as computed tomographic (CT) scanning was incorporated into practice.


METHODS
Using chart review, appendectomy cases from 1998 to 2004 were analyzed by year for CT scanning rate, delay in treatment, complications, negative appendectomies, and time to surgery. Delay in treatment was defined as discharge from the ED at first visit or more than 20 hours from examination until surgery.


RESULTS
Computed tomographic scanning increased from 12.3% in 1998 to 84.4% in 2004. Delay in treatment decreased from 7.8% in 1998 to 3.0% in 2004. Complications decreased from 33.3% in 1998 to 21.3% in 2004. Negative appendectomy rate did not change significantly over time. There was a slight decrease that may have resulted from chances, variation (p=.087) for the line trend. Median time to surgery increased from 250 minutes in 1998 to 426 minutes in 2002, decreasing to 370 minutes by 2004.


CONCLUSIONS
During the period when CT scanning increased dramatically, delays in treatment and complications decreased significantly, but negative appendectomy rates decreased only slightly, if at all. Median time to surgery increased.
Frei
Steven P
SP
Emergency Department, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem, PA 18017, USA. steven.frei@lvh.com
Bond
William F
WF
Bazuro
Robert K
RK
Richardson
David M
DM
Sierzega
Gina M
GM
Reed
James F
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome