ROLE OF THE FENYO–LINDBERG SCORING SYSTEM IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS: A CLINICAL STUDY

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies, yet its diagnosis remains challenging due to variable clinical presentations. Delayed or inaccurate diagnosis can lead to complications such as perforation or unnecessary appendectomy. Clinical scoring systems have been developed to improve diagnostic accuracy. The Fenyo–Lindberg scoring system integrates clinical and laboratory parameters, offering a structured approach to decision-making in suspected cases of acute appendicitis. The aim is to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the Fenyo–Lindberg scoring system in patients presenting with suspected acute appendicitis and to determine its role in reducing negative appendectomy rates. Materials and Methods: This prospective clinical study was conducted over a period of 10 months in the Department of General Surgery at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 55 patients presenting with clinical features suggestive of acute appendicitis were included. Patients were evaluated using the Fenyo–Lindberg scoring system based on clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory parameters. Based on the score, patients were stratified into low, intermediate, and high probability groups. Management decisions were made accordingly, and all operated cases were confirmed by histopathological examination. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the scoring system were calculated. Results: Among the 55 patients, the majority were in the age group of 21–30 years, with a slight male predominance. Based on the Fenyo–Lindberg score, 20 (36.4%) patients were categorized as high probability, 22 (40.0%) as intermediate, and 13 (23.6%) as low probability. Appendectomy was performed in 42 patients. Histopathological examination confirmed acute appendicitis in 38 cases. The scoring system demonstrated a sensitivity of 92.1%, specificity of 81.8%, PPV of 90.5%, and NPV of 85.7%. The negative appendectomy rate was reduced to 9.5%. Higher scores were significantly associated with confirmed appendicitis (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The Fenyo–Lindberg scoring system is a reliable and effective clinical tool for diagnosing acute appendicitis. It aids in early decision-making, improves diagnostic accuracy, and reduces unnecessary surgeries. Its simplicity and cost-effectiveness make it particularly useful in resource-limited settings.