Shahzad Avais, Safdar Hussain Shah, Masood Rashid.
Appendicectomy; modified Alvarado scoring system; does it help to avoid unwanted operation?.
Professional Med J Jan ;11(1):68-71.

Introduction: Several diagnostic aids have been developed to improve diagnosis in suspected appendicitis and to avoid negative appendicectomy. Objectives: To evaluate modified Alvarado scoring system in reducing rate of negative appendicectomy. Study Design: A prospective study was conducted. Setting: Jinnah hospital, Lahore. Period: January 2003 to July 2003. Patients & Methods: 96 patients admitted with suspected diagnosis of appendicitis but with equivocal signs were management according to modified Alvarado system. Results: Diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made in 61 patients on the basis of scoring system. These patients were operated for appendicitis. Vermiform appendix was found to be acutely inflamed in all but 5 patients, giving a negative appendicectomy rate of 8.2%. A clinical decision to operate leads to removal of a normal appendix in 15% to 30% of cases. Conclusions: Modified Alvarado scoring system did well in reducing negative appendicectomy rate. It is not meant to replace clinical judgement and is not considered a primary mean of making a diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com