APPENDECTOMY IN SWEDEN 1989-1993 - ASSESSED BY THE INPATIENT REGISTRY

We analyzed all appendectomies in Sweden 1989-1993 (n = 60,306) record ed in the national Inpatient Registry. Our focus was on diagnostic acc uracy, incidence rate of appendicitis, perforative appendicitis, and l ength of stay by day of admission and hospital category. The incidence rate of appendectomy decreased by 9.8% in women compared to 4.1% in m en. Since the number of patients with an end diagnosis of appendicitis remained almost constant, diagnostic accuracy increased each year. Th is was more pronounced in women than men, seen in all hospital categor ies, and was higher for those admitted during periods of low capacity (weekends/holidays). Perforated appendicitis did not increase. Duratio n of hospital stay decreased continuously, especially among the oldest . We found no indications of an increased frequency of complications, such as increases in the incidence rate of perforations or in the leng th of stay. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.