ABSTRACT
To evaluate the Lintula score in reducing negative appendectomies in the adult population. Descriptive analytical study. Surgical Department, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from August 2012 to April 2014. A total of 408 emergency patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis were included in the study. True or negative appendectomy status was determined per-operatively. Lintula score was calculated afterwards and evaluated for various cut-off points. Among the study population, 72 [17.6%] had a normal appendix by operative assessment and 336 [82.4%] had an acutely inflammed appendix. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the optimal cut-off point was = 21 with 100% sensitivity, 88.4% specificity and positive and negative predictive values of 97.3% and 100%, respectively. Area under the curve was 0.963 with 90.4% overall accuracy. Utilizing the Lintula cut-off point of = 21, negative appendectomies, unnecessary admissions and healthcare cost can all be reduced