Can d -dimer become a new diagnostic parameter for acute appendicitis?

Abstract Introduction In this study, we investigated d -dimer serum level as a diagnostic parameter for acute appendicitis. Materials and Methods Forty-nine patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were classified according to age; sex; duration between the beginning of pain and referral to a hospital or clinic; Alvarado scores; and in physical examination, presence of muscular defense, the number of leukocytes, preoperative ultrasonography, and d -dimer levels of histopathologic study groups were analyzed. Results Of the patients enrolled in the study, 26.5% were females and 73.5% males. The average age was 21 years (range, 16-38 years) and 81.7% acute appendicitis (AA). According the duration of pain, 63.2% of the patients were referred to the hospital within the first 24 hours, 26.5% of the patients were referred to the hospital within 24 to 48 hours, and 10.3% were referred to the hospital within a period of more than 48 hours. No statistically significant difference was determined regarding d -dimer levels between the histopathologic study groups ( P > .05). Alvarado scores lower than 7 were found in 36.7% and 7 or higher in 63.3% of the patients. There was no statistically significant difference related with d -dimer levels between histopathologic study groups ( P > .05). The ratio of cases with a number of leukocytes below the upper limit were determined respectively as 32.7% and 67.3%, and no statistically significant difference was found regarding d -dimer levels between histopathologic study groups ( P > .05). Conclusion Increased d -dimer levels should not be considered as a diagnostic parameter in diagnosis of acute appendicitis.