Evaluation of Hyperbilirubinemia as a New Diagnostic Marker for Acute Appendicitis and its Role in the Prediction of Appendicular Perforation

Aims 1) Establishment of role of hyperbilirubinemia as a new diagnostic tool to predict gangrenous/perforated appendicitis. Methods This prospective study conducted on 125 consecutive cases of acute appendicitis admitted to the emergency ward whose serum bilirubin was tested and clinical diagnosis was confirmed perioperatively and post-operatively by histopathological examination. Their data were compiled and analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using either chi square test or fishers exact test. Results Total serum bilirubin including both direct and indirect was found to be significantly increased in case of acute appendicitis. Serum bilirubin was much higher (P less than0.001) in cases of gangrenous/perforated appendicitis. Conclusion Serum bilirubin is an important adjunct in diagnosing the presence of gangrenous/perforated appendicitis