External validation of Lintula score in Turkish acute appendicitis patients

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive accuracy of Lintula score in Turkish appendicitis patients. Materials and methods: Data from a total of 156 patients operated with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis were collected retrospectively. The Lintula score was constructed from nine variables (gender, intensity of pain, relocation of pain, pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant, vomiting, body temperature, guarding, bowel sounds and rebound tenderness) with independent diagnostic value in 156 patients. Lintula score was calculated for all patients. Pathological results of the resected specimen were determined and the diagnostic performance of the Lintula score was compared. Results: Hoshmer-Lemeshow and ROC curve analysis was performed and area under the curve was 0.922. Predictive accuracy of Lintula score among Turkish appendicitis patients was statistically significant. Conclusion: Lintula score seems to be useful method to diagnose acute appendicitis among Turkish patients and may reduce the rate of negative appendectomy. (C) 2011 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.