The Analysis of Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width Levels in Appendicitis

We aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width, which are also known as the markers of platelet count, in acute and perforated appendicitis. The data of 202 patients who applied to general surgery clinic in Mustafa Kemal University Hospital from 2007 to 2012 with acute appendicitis were analyzed retrospectively. The findings were separated to two groups due to the perforation status (perforated vs. non-perforated). Age, sex, leukocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were examined. The mean age of the patients was 35.8. Twenty-one of all cases were perforated appendicitis (10.4 %), and the rest was acute appendicitis (non-perforated) (n=181, 89.6 %). The mean platelet volume value was 9.8 +/- 2.1 fL; mean thrombocyte count, 340.9x10(9)/L; and mean platelet distribution width value, 18.3 %. There were statistically significant differences between sex and age, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width. There was a positive correlation between mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and platelet. Age, leukocyte, platelet, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were higher in cases with perforation as a comparison with non-perforated cases. We think that mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width may be valuable markers to detect the risk of perforation in early periods of acute appendicitis.