The relevance of Alvarado score and ultrasonography in predicting and avoiding negative appendectomy in acute appendicitis: A prospective study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the role of Alvarado score and ultrasound in diagnosing and preventing negative laparotomies in acute appendicitis. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted on 100 consecutive patients who underwent appendicectomy in the department of general surgery at ………………….during the period of 1.5 years. Depending on individual presentation of signs and symptoms, a score was calculated for each case of suspected appendicitis from 10 values (based on the Alvarado scoring system). All patients were clinically examined after taking a detailed history using a structured questionnaire. Then, they underwent blood examination, ultrasound abdomen, followed by surgery. The histopathological examination (HPE) of the specimen was obtained. Finally, the histopathology reports were correlated with the findings of ALVARADO Score and USG abdomen. Results: In our study of 100 patients, 62(62%) were male, and 38 (38%) were female. 46 (46%) patients were between 20-29 years of age followed by 14-20 years of age (32%). 100 (100%) of patients were admitted with pain in the abdomen. 78 (78%) complained of nausea or vomiting at admission, 66 (66%) had fever on admission and 82 (82%) of patients had anorexia at the time of admission. All patients (100%) had tenderness in the right iliac fossa. A shift to the left was seen in 80 (80%) of patients. Conclusion: According to our study the use of Alvarado Scoring System with USG is more effective and accurate than USG performing alone.