EN
TÜRKÇE
Poster - 326
Can histopathological analysis of an appendix be eliminated in resource limited area?
Sello Machaea, Vincent Adeniyi
Walter Sisulu University
Background
Many studies have reported on the modalities of diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis globally, but few have addressed if there is a need for ongoing histopathological analysis. Many appendicitis specimens demonstrate acute inflammation, perforation, or necrosis on histology with less than 10% of the appendix showing the probable aetiological agent. There is a worrying increasing trend of appendiceal neoplasms showing an increase in incidence from 5.6% to 12.7% in the adult population but this incidence remains low in the paediatric group at 0.3% (Ranaweera et al, 2019). One appendix specimen analysis costs R1200 (67 US dollars)
Method
Retrospective cross-sectional study involving all paediatric cases of acute appendicitis managed at the three tertiary centres in the region over a 5 year period.
Results
1520 patients were identified post appendectomy. 1(0.06%) had neoplasm of the appendix, 25 (1.6%) had parasitic infestation, 8 (0.5%) normal appendix and the remaining 1486 (97.8%) suppurative appendicitis.
Conclusion
With 98% of the appendix specimens showing suppurative appendicitis and only 0.06% revealing malignancy, a recommendation to not submit further specimens in the paediatric population holds with an estimated saving of 101 840 USD.