Has Misdiagnosis of Appendicitis Decreased Over Time?

Abstract

Appendectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the United States and the most common surgical emergency of the abdomen. Despite a lifetime cumulative incidence of nearly 7%,¹ diagnosis of appendicitis remains a challenge. The risk of 2 primary adverse outcomes must be balanced in management of presumed appendicitis: perforation, often occurring in the prehospital setting,² and misdiagnosis, resulting in removal of a normal appendix. Although reduction of the frequency of appendiceal perforation has received much scrutiny, the factors leading to misdiagnosis are less understood.