Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine if early, acute appendicitis in children
can be safely and effectively managed with antibiotics alone.
Methods
A retrospective review was performed of children (<18 yrs) treated non-operatively (NOM) for early, acute appendicitis since May 2012. These
were compared to patients treated with appendectomy between January 2011 and October
2011 (OM). Inclusion criteria included: (a) symptoms <48 h, (b) localized peritonitis, and (c) ultrasound findings consistent with early, acute
appendicitis.
Results
Twelve patients (66% female, mean age 12.2,SD = 4.2 yrs) were treated non-operatively, while 12 (50% female, mean age 12.5,SD = 3.2 yrs) were treated operatively. Two NOM children (16.7%) required initial appendectomy.
One patient developed recurrent appendicitis requiring appendectomy 7 months post-discharge. Four other NOM patients returned with symptoms but did not
require admission or surgery. Two OM patients (8.3%) had hospital visits and admissions
related to surgical site infections. Mean length of stay (LOS) for the first visit
was 1.5 days (SD = 1.0d) (NOM) vs. 1.3 days (SD = 0.5d) (OM) (p = 0.61). Including first and subsequent admissions, mean LOS was 1.8 days (SD = 1.1d) (NOM) vs. 1.7 days (SD = 1.5d) (OM) (p = 0.97).
Conclusion
Early acute appendicitis in appropriately selected children can be successfully treated
non-operatively. Randomized trials with longer follow-up are required.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 24, 2014
Accepted:
February 13,
2014
Received:
February 10,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Published by Elsevier Inc.
