Diagnostic Indexes Findings in Early Stages of Appendicitis (DIFESA Study): a reanalysis from the POSAW study database

Purpose: The resection of a normal-looking appendix during laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) remains a dilemma. The optimal approach requires reliable macroscopic judgment by the surgeons. The aim of this study is to assess the surgeon’s ability to laparoscopically diagnose acute appendicitis (AA) in its initial uncomplicated grades. Method: Subgroup analysis from the POSAW study, 2016. Patients diagnosed with initial grades of AA (0 – 1) who underwent LA were included (n=718). The median age was 29.4 years, and 52% were female. The accuracy of the macroscopic intraoperative diagnosis was assessed with the histopathological examination of the resected specimens, and the agreement between the surgeon’s and the pathologist’s judgment was established. Results: Of the 79 appendices classified intraoperatively as normal-looking, 18 (22.8%) had some inflammation degree. Of the 639 appendices classified intraoperatively as inflamed, 101 (15.8%) were normal. The intraoperative surgeon’s judgment had an accuracy of 83.4% and a moderate to low agreement (Kappa 0.42). The sensitivity and specificity values were 96.8% and 37.7%, and the positive and negative predictive values were 84.2% and 77.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The surgeon’s intraoperative diagnosis of uncomplicated AA’s initial grades is not sufficiently accurate to establish good reliability for appendicectomy. The surgeon overestimates the presence of appendicular inflammation.