Factors That Influence the Length of Hospital Stay After an Appendectomy.

Objective: Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency that causes acute abdominal pain. After laparoscopic appendectomy, standard hospital care is nearly 24-h, although some patients need a longer length of hospital stay (LOS). This study aimed to evaluate the factors that influence LOS after appendectomy by examining biochemical and radiologic parameters. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 185 patients who underwent appendectomy in 2020-2024 in our hospital. Patient files were examined, and preoperative biochemical values such as white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, C reactive protein (CRP) value, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were recorded. Preoperative radiologic examinations, appendix diameter, and presence of periappendiceal free fluid were assessed. Results: A total of 163 patients were in early discharge group, and 22 patients were in late discharge group. The mean age of the patients was 34.5±8.5 years, and 53.5% were male. The mean discharge was 1.8±1.4 days. Lymphocyte count was statistically significantly lower in late discharge group, and NLR, CRP value, and appendix diameter were statistically significantly higher in late discharge group (p<0.005). Multivariate analysis showed a significant independent effect of NLR and CRP values (p<0.05). Conclusion: Decreased lymphocytes, elevated NLR and CRP values, increased appendix diameter, and presence of periappendiceal free fluid on CT affected patients' LOS after appendectomy. Patients with these risk factors could be preferentially selected for laparoscopic approach, routine drain placement, late start of normal food, planned late discharge time and should be informed about longer hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]