World’s biggest appendicitis study gives insight into emergency healthcare

University of Birmingham experts are enlisting the help of medics across the globe to investigate the effectiveness of health systems by studying the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis. 

The Appendicitis Global Outcomes Study (AlliGatOr) will collect data on patients undergoing appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis from over 2,000 hospitals in 135 countries. The aim is to identify areas for strengthening emergency care systems globally. 

The new trainee-led, collaborative cohort study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and managed by the team behind the successful delivery of the NIHR-funded GlobalSurg, COVIDSurg, HIPPO, and GECKO studies. 

Project lead Mr Theophilus Teddy Kojo Anyomih, from the University of Birmingham, commented: “Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies worldwide. The presentation and management of this condition offer a valuable benchmark for evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency healthcare systems.  

“The AlliGatOr study aims to generate detailed data on the global variability in the management and outcomes of appendicectomy. The world’s biggest appendicitis study, it will provide critical insights into access to emergency care, imaging techniques, and the use of minimally invasive surgery.  

“The findings will inform policy recommendations for both high- and low- to middle-income countries, contributing to improved healthcare delivery and patient outcomes worldwide. We encourage all interested healthcare professionals, surgeons, scientists, and academics to get involved in this exciting and important study.” 

Hospital teams, consisting of up to three collaborators, will gather data over 14-day periods, with patients followed up at 30 days to collect outcome data. Researchers will use this information to assess global emergency system performance. 

No changes will be made to routine patient care pathways or management as part of the observational study, which runs alongside two optional sub-studies exploring waste management and financing models. 

The AlliGatOr study will provide critical insights into access to emergency care, imaging techniques, and the use of minimally invasive surgery. These findings will inform policy recommendations for both high- and low- to middle-income countries, contributing to improved healthcare delivery and patient outcomes worldwide. 

Study leaders are still recruiting hospital leads and co-leads globally - with ample opportunities for institutions to participate in this groundbreaking research. More information on joining as a hospital lead or co-lead can be found at https://redcap.link/alligator