920 Long Term Outcomes After Resection of A 'Normal' Appendix
Abstract Introduction Recent studies have suggested that there should be diagnostic confirmation of appendicitis prior to surgical resection to reduce the rate of negative (normal) appendicectomy. There are few long-term analyses of morbidity after negative appendicectomy. Method All appendicectomy specimens removed for suspected appendicitis from June 2010 to August 2015 at a single-centre surgical unit were identified. Patients with a histologically 'normal' appendix were analysed. Demographics, pre-operative and operative details and post-operative outcomes (Clavien-Dindo system) were recorded. Minimum follow-up was 5 years. Results There were 1977 patients. Most (1938 patients, 98%) had a laparoscopic procedure. There were 241 normal specimens (12.1%); none of these patients had pre-operative CT imaging. Thirty-two patients had at least one re-admission in the 5 years after surgery; 12 of these patients had multiple re-admissions (range, 2-5 re-admissions). 22 patients (69%) had a re-admission within 30 days after primary surgery. 4 patients (<1%) required further surgery and mortality was 0%. 6 patients (2%) had a Grade III complication, and none had a Grade IV complication. Conclusions There was low long-term morbidity after negative appendicectomy in this study. The cost of confirming a normal diagnosis by way of mandatory pre-operative CT does not represent a cost-effective method of management.