Systemic and Tissue Inflammatory Biomarkers in Acute Appendicitis

This observational study aims to evaluate inflammatory responses in the blood and appendix tissue of adults diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Acute appendicitis is a common condition that often requires emergency surgery. Although clinical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging methods are used for diagnosis, distinguishing uncomplicated from complicated appendicitis can sometimes be challenging. The study aims to investigate whether inflammatory biomarkers measured in blood and appendix tissue are associated with the severity of acute appendicitis and whether these biomarkers may help improve the assessment of the disease. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How are inflammatory biomarkers in blood and appendix tissue associated with the severity of acute appendicitis? * Do these biomarkers differ between patients with uncomplicated and complicated acute appendicitis? * Are inflammatory biomarker levels associated with clinical findings and commonly used laboratory indicators? Approximately 140 adult patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis and undergoing appendectomy will be included in the study. Participants will receive standard medical and surgical care. Blood samples obtained during routine clinical care and appendix tissue samples collected during surgery will be used for additional laboratory analyses. No additional invasive procedures or changes to standard treatment will be required for research purposes. The findings may help researchers better understand inflammatory processes in acute appendicitis and identify biomarkers that could support clinical assessment and decision-making.

Inclusion Criteria: Adults aged 18-65 years. Willingness to participate in the study and provision of written informed consent. Suspected acute appendicitis based on clinical, laboratory, and/or imaging findings. Scheduled for appendectomy following general surgical evaluation. Availability of an appendectomy specimen suitable for postoperative histopathological examination. Availability of sufficient clinical and laboratory records for study evaluation. Exclusion Criteria: Age younger than 18 years or older than 65 years. Refusal to participate or failure to provide written informed consent. Presence of an active infection that may affect the systemic inflammatory response during the preoperative period. Concomitant active infectious diseases, including pneumonia, urinary tract infection, or sepsis. Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or systemic lupus erythematosus. History of malignancy or active malignancy. Chronic renal failure or advanced liver failure. Use of immunosuppressive therapy. Use of corticosteroids, chemotherapy, or biological agents. Preoperative use of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications at a level that may significantly affect inflammatory biomarker measurements. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Identification of additional intra-abdominal pathology unrelated to appendicitis during appendectomy. Failure to confirm acute appendicitis on postoperative histopathological examination. Inadequate biological sample quantity or failure to store biological samples under appropriate conditions.