[ XXXX and appendectomy in Norway 1990-2001].

@entity1 @entity698
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of @entity698 and appendectomy in Norway from 1990 to 2001. METHODS: Data were compiled from the Norwegian @entity1 Registry based on ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes for @entity698 and appendectomy. Re-admissions after appendectomy were selected based on institution and allocation numbers for hospitalisation. RESULTS: Age-adjusted incidence rates for appendectomy were 117 per 100 000 for @entity1 and 116 per 100 000 for @entity1 . Incidence rates were highest among @entity1 aged 10-29. Diagnostic accuracy increased from 81% to 86% in @entity1 and from 60% to 71% in @entity1 over the study period. Perforation ratio increased from 12% to 21% in @entity1 and from 9% to 17% in @entity1 . Appendectomy by laparoscopic technique increased during 1998 to 2001 from 5% to 10% of cases for @entity1 and from 9% to 15% of cases for @entity1 . The proportion of laparoscopic appendectomy was considerably higher in two counties (50% and 28% in 2000-2001). Length of hospital stay was shorter after laparoscopy (median two days) than after open surgery (median three days), with no difference in the rate of re-admission of 4%. INTERPRETATION: Diagnostic accuracy and perforation ratio increased over the 1990s. @entity1 operated upon with laparoscopic technique had shorter hospital stays and the same re-admission rate compared to @entity1 undergoing conventional surgery. Though the proportion of appendectomies done by laparoscopy doubled from 1998 to 2001, the procedure is not in commonly use in Norway.
