Efficacy of laboratory tests and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in gravid patients according to the stages of pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Normal physiologic changes during pregnancy result in similar laboratory and symptomatology changes as those during acute appendicitis (AA), making the diagnosis extremely difficult. The aim of the present study was to analyze the efficacy of conventional laboratory and radiologic tests in the diagnosis of AA according to different stages of pregnancy. METHODS: Twenty-five pregnant patients with pathologically confirmed AA operated at our department between 2012 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed in terms of changes in conventional laboratory parameters as well as neutrophil-to lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios to aid the diagnosis of AA according to different stages of pregnancy. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in C-reactive protein levels, leukocyte and neutrophil counts, and accuracy of ultrasonography between patients in the first (group I) and second + third trimesters (group 2) (p>0.05). Lymphocyte count was significantly lower (p>0.05), whereas NLR and PLR were significantly higher in group 2 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Laboratory values change significantly during pregnancy, and NLR and PLR seems to be valuable tools for evaluating AA in a stage-specific manner in pregnant patients.