WOFAPS 2025 8th World Congress of Pediatric Surgery

View Abstract
  1. Home
  2. Congresses
  3. Congress Home
  4. Abstract

Poster - 38

Diagnostic value of PDW and RDW parameters in appendicitis: A retrospective comparison of uncomplicated and complicated cases

Kevser Ayaz 1, Sırma Mine Tilev Öztan 2, Ali İhsan Anadolulu 2, Canan Ceran 3, Emre Şahin 1
1 University of Health Sciences, HAmidiye Faculty of Medicine
2 Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery
3 University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery

Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic significance of platelet distribution width (PDW) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) values in patients with acute appendicitis. Our objective was to determine whether these parameters, in conjunction with standard laboratory markers, could aid in distinguishing between uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis.

Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on 1,230 patients who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis between 2018 and 2023. Preoperative laboratory values, including white blood cell count (WBC), PDW, RDW-CV, RDW-SD, and C-reactive protein (CRP), were recorded. Patients were classified into two groups: uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis (combining mildly and highly complicated cases based on intraoperative and histopathological findings).

Results:
Out of 1,230 cases, 72.3% were categorized as uncomplicated and 27.7% as complicated appendicitis. Patients with complicated appendicitis were significantly younger (p = 0.034). CRP levels were higher in the complicated group (p = 0.038). Compared to the control group, both WBC and PDW levels were significantly elevated in the appendicitis cohort (p < 0.000). RDW-CV and RDW-SD values were also significantly higher in patients with appendicitis compared to controls (RDW-CV: p = 0.009; RDW-SD: p < 0.000).

When comparing uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis groups:

  • WBC (p < 0.000), RDW-CV (p = 0.05), and RDW-SD (p = 0.05) were significantly higher in the complicated group.

  • PDW was significantly lower in complicated cases (p = 0.004).

Conclusion:
PDW, RDW-CV, and RDW-SD could be helpful in diagnosing acute appendicitis when used with common tests like WBC and CRP. These parameters also show potential in differentiating between uncomplicated and complicated cases. However, their diagnostic accuracy for severity assessment is limited, and further prospective studies are needed to establish their clinical utility.

Keywords: Appendicitis, Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), Complicated Appendicitis, Hemogram, Inflammatory Markers, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), White Blood Cell Count (WBC)

Close