Evaluation of Dry Lips as a New Sign in Clinical Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Children: A Short Report

Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of emergency abdominal surgery in children. Diagnosis before surgery has always been a problem. One of the symptoms in dealing with patients with suspected appendicitis is dry and scaly lips. Therefore، the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship of this sign with appendicitis. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a three-month period، all the patients under 18 admitted with complaints of abdominal pain were entered into the study. Possible diagnosis was appendicitis based on history، clinical examinations، laboratory tests and abdominal sonography. Alvarado score pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) and pathological results were recorded. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS software. Out of 25 patients who entered the study، 11 patients (44%) were males and 14 patients (56%) were females with mean age and SD of 11. 88± 4. 77 years old. The pathology reports were as follows: 13 patients (52%) acute appendicitis، 10 patient (40%) acute suppurative appendicitis with periappendicitis، one patient (4%) ruptured appendicitis and for one patients (4%) nomal appedix. Pain shifting in 20 patients (80%) and dry lips in 22 patients (88%) were observed. Alvarado average score of the patients was 7. 04± 2. 28 and PAS average score was 7. 24± 1. 71. Early diagnosis and appendectomy before gangrene or rupture of the appendix will reduce complications of this disease. Therefore، early diagnosis of this disease is important. Sign of dry lips in 22 patients (88%) compared with other signs and symptoms is important. Based on this study it is concluded that dry lips can be a diagnostic sign along with other signs. According to the findings of this study further studies are recommended.