Diagnostic Value of Hyperbilirubinaemia as a Predictive Factor for Appendiceal Perforation in Acute Appendicitis
Diagnostic Value of Hyperbilirubinaemia as a Predictive Factor for Appendiceal Perforation in Acute Appendicitis
The values of laboratory examinations which are useful for the diagnoses of appendicitis are
 white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte blood sedimentation
 rate (ESR). However up to date there is no laboratory marker for the pre-operative diagnosis
 of appendiceal perforation in acute appendicitis. Recently hyperbilirubinaemia has been
 associated with appendiceal perforation. Aim of this retrospective study is therefore to
 investigate if hyperbilirubinaemia has a diagnostic value for the pre-operative diagnosis of
 appendiceal perforation in patients with appendicitis.
We identified 538 patients with histologically proved acute appendicitis who underwent
 laparoscopic or conventional appendicectomy between January, 2004 and December, 2007 in a
 surgical department of an academic teaching hospital. A retrospective multiple chart review
 of the medical records including laboratory values (bilirubin, CRP, white blood count) and
 histological results was conducted.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Appendicitis and a preoperative laboratory workup with Leukocytes, C-reactive Protein,
 Bilirubin and liver transaminases GOT and GPT

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Alcoholism

 -  A history of viral hepatitis

 -  Gilbert's disease

 -  Dubin Johnson syndrome

 -  BRIC (benign recurrent intra-hepatic cholestasis) and other documented biliary

 -  Hemolytic or liver diseases associated with hyperbilirubinaemia.