HOW TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF NEGATIVE APPE NDECTOMIES - PROSPECTIVE-STUDY ON 120 PATIENTS AT 2 CENTERS

A decisional protocol based on clinical findings and laboratory data w as assessed prospectively in a consecutive series of 120 patients with suspected appendicitis over a 24-month period at 2 teaching hospitals . Using this protocol the high rate of negative appendectomy (31.5%) d uring the 2 years prior to the study was reduced to 22% without increa sing morbidity or mortality. Ultrasound examination was poorly predict ive in unclear cases. Laparoscopy was used to assess diagnosis in pers istent symptoms.