Relevance of routine histopathological study in cases of acute appendicitis

Aim and Objective: Acute appendicitis is considered the most common surgically correctable cause of abdominal pain. Appendicectomy, though a common surgical procedure; yet accurate clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis remains challenging. Objective of this study is to access the benefit of routine histopathological examination of appendix in clinically diagnosed acute appendicitis, so as to confirm it and to rule out other pathology.Materials and Methods: Histopathological study was done in (Department of pathology, MKCG MCH) in 541 routine cases with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis; admitted to department of General surgery, MKCG MCH between august 2020 to September 2022. Biopsy findings were analyzed and correlated with clinical diagnosis .The study was also used for analyzing demographic data.Inclusion criteria: All patients admitted to department of general surgery, MKCG MCH with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. (2020-22)Exclusion criteria: Patient who underwent incidental appendicectomy during other surgeries.Results: In our study, 271 cases (50.3%) were confirmed to be acute appendicitis, followed by recurrent appendicitis 157(29%), appendicular abscess 46(8.5%), perforation 9 (1.7%) and others accounting for rest 16%. In 14 cases (2.3%) abnormal histopathological findings of clinical significance were noted, that needed specific follow up and management.Conclusion: The study shows that there are certain discrepancies between clinical and histological diagnosis (in 2.3% cases), which will affect treatment protocol and prognosis hence this study supports routine histopathological examination of all appendicectomy specimen.