Abstract
Abstract Introduction Appendectomy is associated with complications and negative appendicectomy. We evaluated the rate and predictors of NAR in a cohort. Method Patients' data who underwent emergency appendicectomies over a year was analysed. A definition of NA; absence of inflammatory cells in the appendix. The NAR was calculated using (NAR-SDC) and (NAR-STC). Leucocytosis was a total WBC >11000/mm3, elevated CPR >5 mg/L. Results 372 patients were included. Median durations of symptoms 2 days. The mean admission WBC, CRP and serum bilirubin levels were 12,600 (3000-38000)/mm3, 66.9 (1-323) mg/L and 12.7 (4-38) µmol/L respectively. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 93.5% with a conversion rate of 4.6%.NAR-SDC was 10.2% and NAR-STC was 25.8%. NAR was higher in females than males (39.4% versus 11.1%; p-value 0.0001). Patients with NA were younger (p-value 0.0001), had lower WBC (p-value 0.014), CRP (p-value 0.0001) levels on admission. Female gender, duration of symptoms more than 3 days, lower WBC were found to be predictors of NAR. Conclusions NA is a problem in management of patients with acute right lower abdominal pain. Our NAR compared favourably with reported rates. Female gender, symptoms more than 3 days, lower WBC were predictors of NA.