Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01054417

APPEndicitis and Laparoscopic Criteria; APPEL Study

A diagnostic laparoscopy is frequently used to confirm the diagnosis of appendicitis. However, laparoscopic criteria for determining appendicitis are not defined. If there is any doubt about the presence of an abnormal appendix, it is usually removed. However, an appendectomy of a negative appendix has a certain morbidity and for that reason it should be avoided. The purpose of this study is to establish laparoscopic criteria for the diagnosis appendicitis during diagnostic laparoscopy.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Appendicitis Cecal Diseases Digestive System Diseases Gastroenteritis Gastrointestinal Diseases Infections Intestinal Diseases Intraabdominal Infections

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University Medical Center Groningen

Groningen, 9700RB, Netherlands

About this study

The UMCG hospital protocol of suspicion of appendicitis includes a diagnostic laparoscopy. The laparoscopic inspection of the appendix is carried out according to a specific protocol. In case of appendicitis the appendix is removed laparoscopically, a normal appendix is not removed. The primary outcome of the study is: appendicitis according to pathologic examination following appendectomy, or appendicitis according to clinical follow-up in case the appendix is not removed.

The clinical diagnosis of appendicitis in the follow-up should be confirmed radiologic examination (ultrasound, CT-scan, MRI) or by a re-operation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Informed consent
  • Patients who will undergo a diagnostic laparoscopy for suspicion of appendicitis
  • No age or gender limits

Exclusion criteria

  • Elective scheduled appendectomy
  • Unable to give informed consent

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Accuracy of appendix characterization by histology or clinically

    Time frame: 3 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Readmission

    Time frame: 3 months

  2. Re-operation

    Time frame: 3 months

  3. Intra-abdominal abcess

    Time frame: 3 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Medical Center Groningen

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Prospective Evaluation to Determine Laparoscopic Criteria for the Diagnosis Appendicitis During a Diagnostic Laparoscopy

Acronym: APPEL

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2011
First posted
Jan 22, 2010
Registry last updated
Nov 17, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.