V. V. Subramanyam1, Gidion Bangla2, Jyothi C3
BACKGROUND
The aims of the study were: 1) To establish hyperbilirubinemia as a Reliable marker in gangrenous/perforated appendicitis; and 2) To compare other variables such as white blood cell count and Alvarado score in a similar manner.
METHODS
This is a prospective cohort single centred study done on 100 patients of acute appendicitis admitted to our hospital through emergency and surgical OPD. Clinical examination, laboratory and radiological investigations were done to establish the diagnosis. Alvarado score was performed in every case to assess the severity of the disease pre-operatively. All the post-operative specimens ware subjected to histo-pathological examination for confirmation of the diagnosis. The clinical and laboratory data was compiled and analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS program for Windows version 21.0. P value <0.05 was considered as significant.
RESULTS
Marked raise of Total serum bilirubin was found in Gangrenous and impending perforated appendix. Even though TLC was raised, it was not consistent in all cases of gangrene or perforated appendicitis. The P value of TLC was 0.016 and the P value of total serum bilirubin was 0.000, which is definitely significant.
CONCLUSION
Serum bilirubin is a reliable diagnostic marker in acute appendicitis particularly in gangrenous/perforated appendicitis.
