儿童急性阑尾炎若干临床问题20年回顾分析

目的 急性阑尾炎是儿童外科常见疾病之一，本文旨在通过回顾性调查方法，对其临床诊断、手术和保守治疗、临床抗生素的应用、影像学检查的评价等作一分析，以有助于今后临床工作。方法 对我院小儿外科自1984年1月至2002年12月间因腹痛待查、急性阑尾炎收治的病例进行临床回顾性分析。内容包括流行病学特征，病理分型，抗生素的应用方案和并发症的处理。结果 我院小儿外科近20年中以腹痛待查、急性阑尾炎收治的患儿总共5733例，其中男3514例(占61．3％)，女2219例(占38．7％)，结果 提示急性阑尾炎发病率无季节性差异。收治病患中共行阑尾切除术5001例，阑尾穿孔率13．9％，阴性阑尾切除率22．0％；病理分型无季节差异，但近5年来阴性阑尾切除率显著降低；阑尾穿孔率无季节差异，但是近5年来阑尾穿孔率显著降低；对急性阑尾炎的抗生素应用包括庆大霉素、氨苄青霉素、先锋V号和甲硝唑等，术后并发症的发病率为4．7％(237／5001例)，其中包括粘连性肠梗阻，消化道出血，盆腔脓肿等；死亡1例(0．02％)。结论 儿童急性阑尾炎的临床处理重在及时的诊断和手术介入，对发病时间在16h以内的疑似患儿应行临床观察，必要时作B超鉴别，CT由于其射线侵袭性质，使用仍需审慎。     

某医院20年间阴性阑尾切除调查与分析

目的探讨临床阴性阑尾切除的现状、变迁及影响因素。方法回顾性分析本院1991—2010年所有因诊断急性阑尾炎而接受阑尾切除,术后结合临床和病理诊断明确为阴性阑尾切除的病例资料。①搜集阴性阑尾切除病例基本资料;②按年份分成4组:A组(1991—1995年)、B组(1996—2000年)、C组(2001—2005年)及D组(2006—2010年)。分析各组阴性阑尾切除的发生率,并与同期阑尾穿孔率进行比较;③按年龄分成4组:婴幼儿组(1 d至3岁)、学龄前组(4~7岁)、学龄期组(8~12岁)、青春期组(13~16岁),统计各年龄组患儿阴性阑尾切除率。结果本院20年间共实施阑尾切除术5 469例,其中阴性阑尾切除694例,占同期阑尾切除病例的12.7%。阴性阑尾切除病例中,阑尾误切47例(6.77%);酷似阑尾炎病例647例(93.2%);阴性阑尾切除率从1991—1995年的14.9%下降至2006—2010年的7.58%,P值0.001,提示阴性阑尾切除率呈稳定下降趋势;阴性阑尾切除最多发生于8~12岁患儿,最少发生于0~3岁患儿;男女比例为1:0.9。最常见误诊疾病为肠系膜淋巴结炎、上呼吸道感染、胃肠炎、梅克尔憩室、原发性腹膜炎。结论20年间本院阴性阑尾切除率为12.7%,与阑尾穿孔率相同,均呈稳定下降趋势,大多为酷似阑尾炎疾病,误诊病例少见。     

小儿阴性阑尾切除现状的分析与探讨

多年以来,急性阑尾炎仍是小儿外科常见急腹症之一,约占小儿外科急腹症总数的25％。依靠典型的症状及体征,临床上诊断阑尾炎并不困难,但此病如延误诊治可导致阑尾穿孔、腹膜炎、败血症等严重并发症。为避免此类情况的发生,患儿一旦疑诊为急性阑尾炎,应尽快予以手术治疗。由于不同年龄患儿解剖生理特点及诊断的误差,国内外文献报道仍有2％～30％的阴性阑尾切除率［1-3］。阴性阑尾切除是指术前诊断为急性阑尾炎,经术中探查及术后病理检查诊断为非急性阑尾炎的病例。本文综述近年来国内外文献关于小儿阴性阑尾切除的资料,分析其误诊误切的原因、并发症及其他负面影响,旨在为临床提高诊断率、降低阴性阑尾切除率提供依据。     

高频超声对小儿正常阑尾及急性阑尾炎诊断的应用价值

目的 利用高频超声检查小儿正常阑尾结构,旨在提高对儿童急性阑尾炎的超声诊断.方法 收集2010年1月至2012年1月秦皇岛市妇幼保健院30例经超声检查提示阑尾炎的患儿为病例组,用超声对其阑尾图像特征进行分析.选取同期100例临床无可疑阑尾炎症状、年龄2～10岁儿童作为正常组,进行阑尾超声检查.结果 100例正常组中正常阑尾清晰显示92例,8例由于肠道气体干扰或有便秘史阑尾未显示.30例病例组中超声明确提示阑尾炎28例,2例未明确提示.其中新生儿阑尾穿孔后形成弥漫性腹膜炎1例,美克耳憩室炎超声误诊阑尾炎1例.结论 随着超声仪器分辨率的不断提高,小儿正常阑尾可以清晰显示,所以超声对儿童阑尾炎可以进行早期提示,为临床治疗提供可靠的辅助诊断依据.     

超声在急性阑尾炎诊断中的应用价值

目的 探讨超声检查在急性阑尾炎诊断中的应用价值。方法急性阑尾炎43例，男28例，女15例，年龄2-13岁，全部行超声检查及手术治疗。结果超声诊断明确37例，超声诊断的特异性为100％，敏感性为86％。单纯性阑尾炎的诊断率为72．7％，化脓性阑尾炎的诊断率为88．9％，坏疽性穿孔阑尾炎的诊断率为88．9％，阑尾脓肿的诊断率为100％。盲肠后位阑尾炎的诊断率为66．7％，盆位为94．1％，盲肠下位为90％。结论超声检查在急性阑尾炎的诊断中有重要的应用价值，但其受发病时间、阑尾位置、肠管胀气，特别是超声医师的经验的影响，对阑尾炎早期及盲肠后位阑尾诊断率较低，因此在阑尾炎的诊断中不能过分依赖超声检查的结果。     

盆腔螺旋CT检查用于小儿阑尾炎早期诊断的临床意义

目的探讨CT检查在1～6岁儿童阑尾炎诊断与治疗方面的意义。方法分别对0～3岁,3～6岁两组儿童正常阑尾测值并作为对照依据,对疑似阑尾炎患儿采用局限性螺旋CT扫描技术进行检查,与正常值相比较,并经手术验证,观察其敏感性、特异性、假阳性率和假阴性率。结果手术视野下72例0～3岁组正常阑尾腔外径为4.9m±0.8m,70例3～6岁组正常阑尾腔外径为5.1m±0.9mm,敏感性为96%,特异性为100%,假阳性率为0,假阴性率为4%。结论多层螺旋CT检查显著提高了症状不典型的急性阑尾炎的术前确诊率,并降低了阑尾炎的漏诊率,螺旋CT对早期诊断儿童阑尾炎有显著意义。     

儿童急性坏疽性阑尾炎544例病原学变迁与治疗

目的回顾性分析儿童急性坏疽性阑尾炎的病原学变迁,探讨合理使用抗生素的方法。方法2003年1月至2007年12月本院收治急性坏疽性阑尾炎患儿544例,将2003年1月至2005年6月的168例设为Ⅰ组,2005年7月至2007年2月376例设为Ⅱ组,分析两组病原学特点及抗生素的使用与疗效。结果两组腹腔内脓液培养及药敏试验率为85．5％（465／544）,总细菌培养阳性率为72％（335／465）,其中Ⅰ组为84．7％（116／137）,Ⅱ组为68．6％（219／319）。Ⅱ组革兰氏阳性球菌的阳性检出率明显增加,而革兰阴性杆菌的检出率明显减少。结论儿童急性坏疽性阑尾炎脓培养阳性率降低,革兰氏阳性球菌所占比例逐渐明显升高,临床应合理选用抗生素,以达到更好的疗效。     

南京市儿童过敏性鼻炎及下呼吸道疾病相关性调查

目的研究南京市儿童过敏性鼻炎（AR）及相关下呼吸道疾病流行病学特征。方法2004年3～5月用南京市儿童呼吸道疾病问卷调查表对随机选择的南京市7所小学三年级学生（9～10岁）进行问卷调查。调查分为两阶段，第一阶段向家长发放问卷调查筛选AR可疑患者．第二阶段对可疑患者进行专科检查确诊。对调查结果进行统计学处理。结果 1.共发放问卷调查表1087份．回收989份．应答率91％．有效答卷942份；2．南京市9～10岁儿童AR现患率为5．1％，其中男5．6％（27／484）、女4．6％（21／458），男与女发病率无差异（X^2=0．480 P〉0．05）；按ARIA 2001年分类标准：持续性45．8％（22／48）．其中轻度20.8％（10／48）．中-重度25．0％（12／48）：间歇性54．2％（26／48）．其中轻度45．8％（22／48）、中-重度8．4％（4／48）：3．AR患儿并哮喘．支气管炎、支气管扩张现患率（分别为40．0％、25．0％、2．0％）均较非AR儿童现患率（分别为39％．8．4％、0．1％）高．两组问并哮喘（X^2=75．141 P〈0．001）、气管炎（X^2=10．678 P〈0．001）差异具有统计学意义．而并支气管扩张现患率两组问无显著差异（X^2=0．053 P〉0．05）。结论南京市9～10岁儿童AR现患率为5．1％，与哮喘、支气管炎密切相关．因此应特别关注对上下呼吸道疾病的一致性和治疗的统一性.     

腹腔镜手术与开腹手术治疗儿童复杂性阑尾炎的疗效比较

目的对比分析腹腔镜阑尾切除术（1apamscopicappendectomy,LA）与开腹阑尾切除术（openappendectomy,OA）治疗儿童复杂阑尾炎的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析本院自2014年6月至2015年2月收治的45例儿童复杂阑尾炎患者临床资料,根据不同手术方式分为LA组和OA组,其中LA组21例,OA组24例,比较两组术中出血量、手术时间、术后肠功能恢复时间及住院时间、切口感染、腹腔脓肿及直肠刺激症状的发生率及留置腹腔引流的比率等。结果本组45例均痊愈。LA组手术时间（88．6±20．1）min,OA组手术时间（84．1±10．2）min,两组差异无统计学意义（P=0．340）。LA组有2例中转开腹手术。LA组术中出血（14±10．2）mL,术后肠功能恢复时间（32．6±12．3）h,住院时间（4．2±1．9）d,Troear孔感染率（4．8％）,直肠刺激症状发生率（9．5％）,置腹腔引流率（19．0％）,腹腔脓肿发生率（9．5％）。OA组术中出血（26±9．2）mL,术后肠功能恢复时间（50．6±19．2）h,住院时间（6．2±1．8）d,切口感染率（33．3％）,直肠刺激症状发生率（37．5％）,置腹腔引流率（75％）,腹腔脓肿发生率（37．5％）。两组上述指标比较,差异均有统计学意义（P值分别为：0．000,0．001,0．001,0．044,0．029,0．000,0．029。所有患儿术后随访4～12个月,无一例发生阑尾残株炎、肠瘘及粘连性肠梗阻等并发症。结论腹腔镜手术治疗儿童复杂阑尾炎,安全有效,术后并发症少,有利于患儿术后康复。     

应用ROC评价Alvarado改良评分联合高频超声回盲部定位法对小儿不同病理分型阑尾炎的诊断价值

目的应用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)评价Alvarado改良评分联合高频超声回盲部定位法对小儿不同病理分型阑尾炎诊断的应用价值。方法选择2014年10月至2016年1月在本院收治的阑尾炎患儿158例,经手术病理证实为阑尾炎者为阳性诊断,术中未发现阑尾有炎症或发现其它病变者为阴性诊断。术前对患儿单独应用Alvarado改良评分法,单独应用高频超声回盲部定位法以及两种方法联合检查对患儿进行评价。分别计算Alvarado改良评分法、高频超声回盲部定位法和联合诊断3种方法诊断阑尾炎的准确率、敏感度和特异度,并绘制ROC曲线评价3种方法对阑尾炎的诊断价值。采用Kappa检验评估超声对于小儿不同病理分型阑尾炎的诊断结果与金标准的一致性。结果经过手术的158例阑尾炎患儿,Alvarado改良评分法诊断阑尾炎的准确率、灵敏度、特异度、假阳性率、假阴性率、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为85.44%、85.33%、62.50%、37.50%、14.67%、97.71%和18.51%。高频超声回盲部定位法诊断阑尾炎的准确率、灵敏度、特异度、假阳性率、假阴性率、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为91.14%、92.00%、75.00%、25.00%、8.00%、98.57%和33.33%。Alvarado改良评分联合高频超声回盲部定位法诊断阑尾炎的准确率、灵敏度、特异度、假阳性率、假阴性率、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为95.56%、97.3%、62.5%、37.5%、4.67%、97.99%和41.67%。ROC评价显示曲线下面积比较结果:二者联合方法(0.854)高频超声定位法(0.851)Alvarado改良评分法(0.762),二者联合方法较单一方法诊断准确(P0.05)。超声诊断小儿不同病理分型阑尾炎的结果与手术病理金标准一致性较好(Kappa=0.791,P0.01)。结论 Alvarado改良评分联合高频超声回盲部定位法有助于小儿阑尾炎不同病理分型的准确诊断,为临床做出正确的治疗方案提供重要依据。     

Appendicitis in children--impact of US and CT on the negative appendectomy rate.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) have proved useful for the evaluation of suspected appendicitis and were introduced as diagnostic tools at our institution about ten and five years ago, respectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the negative appendectomy and perforation rates have changed with increased use of US and CT. METHODS: The medical records of 600 children who underwent appendectomy during years 1991, 1994, 1997, and 2000 were reviewed. Perforation in perforated appendicitis was considered to have occurred after admission if the time interval between the first health professional contact and surgery exceeded 12 hours. RESULTS: The total number of appendectomies during the years 1991, 1994, 1997, and 2000 was 406, 334, 407, and 397, respectively. The negative appendectomy rate for the same years was 23%, 8.7%, 8.0%, and 4.0%, respectively. The overall rate of perforations and the perforation rate after admission was 32% and 12%, 34% and 7.3%, 34% and 13%, and 29% and 2.1%, respectively. The rate of patients who underwent US and CT during each period was 1.0% and 0.0%, 41% and 0.0%, 91% and 21% and 98% and 59%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The negative appendectomy rate has been substantially reduced after the introduction of both US and CT. The rate of perforation after admission has not increased.     

Interval appendectomy in perforated appendicitis

The treatment of the perforated appendix remains controversial, with the optimal timing of surgical intervention unclear. Previous studies have documented an increase in both minor and major complication rates in patients undergoing appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. We sought to evaluate the nonoperative therapy of perforated appendicitis followed by interval appendectomy. The charts of all children undergoing admission for appendicitis during a 10-year period (n = 480) were reviewed. Data were abstracted regarding patient presentation, laboratory and radiologic findings, operative and pathology reports, and postoperative course in those patients with perforated appendicitis (n = 104). Comparisons were made between patients undergoing primary appendectomy for perforated appendicitis (n = 87) and those treated with IV antibiotics and hydration and then scheduled for interval appendectomy 4 to 6 weeks following the acute event (n = 17). Treatment assignment was determined by the attending pediatric surgeon in a non-randomized fashion. No significant differences were seen between these two groups in days of antibiotic treatment, nasogastric decompression, and IV hydration. Additionally, total hospital days and cost did not differ significantly between the two groups (primary = 10.3 days and $10,550; interval = 13.3 days and $13,221, P = 0.11 and 0.21, respectively). The overall complication rates, 12.6% in the primary group and 5.9% in the interval group, also did not differ significantly, while the major complication rate (wound dehiscence, abscess, and small-bowel obstruction), 10% versus 0%, was significantly higher in the primary group as compared with the interval group. Our data demonstrate no significant disadvantage, and possibly an improvement in the major complication rate, with nonoperative treatment of perforated appendicitis followed by interval appendectomy. We suggest that this treatment modality should be considered when evaluating the child with perforated appendicitis.Presented at the Surgical Section, American Academy of Pediatrics, Washington, DC, USA, 30 October–4 November 1993     

A PLEA FOR INCIDENTAL APPENDECTOMY IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANCY

The evaluation of right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain in pediatric patients with malignancy can be difficult. However, since the mortality rate from peritoneal infections in these patients is very high, the differential diagnosis of RLQ peritoneal irritation, mainly of acute appendicitis (AA) versus neutropenic enterocolitis (NE), is crucial. Three cases of pediatric patients with malignancy demonstrating these difficulties are represented to enlighten this problem. The first patient died of multiorgan failure after operation for perforated appendicitis without generalized peritonitis. The second had a severe life-threatening postoperative complication because of delayed diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The third patient with malignant pelvic spread, underwent an unnecessary abdominal exploration for suspected AA. In all these cases and probably in many others, the clinical outcome could have been different if a previous incidental appendectomy had been performed during the primary abdominal operation. Incidental appendectomy in oncologic patients is recommended to facilitate the differential diagnosis of RLQ pain and to exclude the diagnosis of AA.     

Pathologic Evaluation of Appendectomy Specimens in Children: Is Routine Histopatholgic Examination Indicated?

Objective

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal surgery in children. Similarity between signs and symptoms of appendicitis and other common pediatric illnesses, atypical manifestations of appendicitis in young children, and children''s inability to give precise explanation for their symptoms contribute to considerable delay in proper diagnosis and increased rate of perforation. Current study reports the surgical and pathological findings of appendectomies in the largest Children''s Hospital in Iran. It also evaluates whether common protocol for pathologic evaluation following appendectomy is beneficial.

Methods

Pathologic reports of 947 appendectomies, performed with the presumptive diagnosis of acute appendicitis, were gathered. Correlation between surgical and pathologic findings was assessed. Demographic characteristics of patients between surgical and pathological subgroups were also compared.

Findings

The mean age of participants was 6.9±3.5 years. Eighty seven (25.5%) children had abnormal pathological findings and normal surgical report. None of miscellaneous findings including appendicular carcinoid tumor 3 (0.3%), oxyuriasis 2 (0.2%), and mycobacterial infection 4 (0.5%) were recognizable during the surgery. Of all pathologically confirmed cases with perforated appendicitis, 9.7% were not detected during the surgery.

Conclusion

In current study, acute appendicitis was the most common pathological diagnosis, however, high normal appendectomy rate along with noticeable proportion of surgically missed perforated appendicitis and unusual histopathologies strongly supported routine histological examination.     

急诊疑似阑尾炎VCT平扫与术后病理诊断对照准确性研究及影像学特征

目的以手术和病理诊断为金标准,探讨VCT平扫对急诊疑似阑尾炎的诊断价值。方法 2008年6月至2009年5月对急诊疑诊阑尾炎患儿行VCT平扫检查,与随后进行的外科手术病理学检查结果对照。统计分析VCT平扫诊断的准确性、敏感度、特异度、阴性似然比及阳性似然比。并分析急性阑尾炎和其他急腹症的VCT影像学特征。结果 284例患儿中手术和病理学检查诊断急性阑尾炎270例,VCT平扫诊断急诊阑尾炎243例。VCT平扫对急诊阑尾炎的诊断准确性为90%(95%CI:87%～92%)、敏感度为0.91(95%CI:0.87～0.94)、特异度为0.89(95%CI:0.85～0.93)。进一步根据阑尾炎病理学检查结果行亚组分析,结果显示,急诊单纯性阑尾炎的VCT诊断准确性为62.3%,急诊化脓性、坏疽性和穿孔性阑尾炎的诊断准确性均95%。漏诊和误诊的27例急诊阑尾炎中,包括23例单纯性阑尾炎,4例化脓性阑尾炎(3例被误诊为盆腔右侧附件病变,1例被误诊为右侧输尿管下端结石)。284例中14例为其他原因急腹症,VCT平扫准确诊断11例(78.7%),漏诊3例,包括肠系膜裂孔疝、梅克尔憩室扭转及索带压迫各1例。急性阑尾炎患儿典型的VCT特征为阑尾周围脂肪间隙模糊,阑尾增粗(直径为5～19mm),阑尾壁增厚。结论 VCT平扫对于急诊疑似阑尾炎的诊断具有显著意义,但对于单纯性阑尾炎的诊断准确性较低,必要时应行增强VCT检查以提高诊断准确性。     

Acute appendicitis in children: ultrasound and CT findings in negative appendectomy cases

Background

To decrease the negative appendectomy rate in children, knowledge of the misleading imaging findings on US and CT in negative appendicitis cases is important.

Objective

To evaluate the negative appendectomy rate and describe the imaging findings of US and CT that lead radiologists to misdiagnose acute appendicitis in children.

Materials and methods

From 2007 to 2013, 374 children operated for suspected appendicitis were proved to either have acute appendicitis (n?=?348) or to be negative for appendicitis (n?=?26) on pathological reports. Negative appendectomy rates were compared among imaging modalities, age groups and genders. We retrospectively reviewed US and CT findings from negative appendectomy cases.

Results

The overall negative appendectomy rate was 7.0% (26/374). There were no statistically significant differences among the subgroups. The most common misleading presentations on US were sonographic tenderness (9/16, 56%) and non-compressibility (9/16, 56%). The most common misleading finding on CT were the presence of an appendicolith or hyperdense feces (5/12, 42%). Periappendiceal fat inflammation was observed in only one case of negative appendicitis on US and on CT.

Conclusion

Radiologists can misdiagnose children with equivocal diameters of appendices as having acute appendicitis when sonographic tenderness or non-compressibility is present on US and when an appendicolith or hyperdense feces is noted on CT. The possibility of negative appendicitis should be borne in mind when periappendiceal fat inflammation is absent or minimal in indeterminate cases.     

The ectopic appendicolith from perforated appendicitis as a cause of tubo-ovarian abscess

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical cause of abdominal pain in the pediatric population. History and physical examination are atypical in up to a third of patients. Known potential complications of untreated or delayed management of acute appendicitis include appendiceal perforation, periappendiceal abscess formation, peritonitis, bowel obstruction and rarely septic thrombosis of mesenteric vessels. We report an unusual complication of perforated appendicitis. A tubo-ovarian abscess developed secondary to appendicolith migration into the right fallopian tube in a patient who had undergone interval laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. The retained appendicolith was visualized within the obstructed and dilated fallopian tube on contrast-enhanced CT. We discuss the CT imaging features of this unusual complication of perforated appendicitis.     

Laparoscopic appendectomy is a favorable alternative for complicated appendicitis in children

Laparoscopic appendectomy in children is a generally accepted procedure for the treatment of non-complicated acute appendicitis. Nevertheless, the role of laparoscopy in complicated appendicitis is more controversial. The objective of this study was to examine the safety, efficacy and complications of laparoscopy in children with complicated appendicitis. This is a retrospective review of the children who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 1998 and March 2006. Complicated appendicitis includes perforated appendicitis, gangrenous appendicitis and appendicular masses found intra-operatively. Data collected include demographic, duration of symptoms, operative time, analgesia, complications, length of hospitalization and histopathology. Laparoscopic appendectomy was done by three trocar technique in all cases. During the study period, 59 children aged 3–12 years underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. There were 34 patients with perforated appendicitis, 12 patients with gangrenous appendicitis and 13 patients with appendicular mass. The average operating time was 62 min. The average length of hospitalization was 5 days. The post-operative narcotic analgesic requirement was minimal. Laparoscopy was converted to open surgery in two patients (3.38%). These two cases were excluded from further analysis. Four out of 57 patients (7.01%) had post-operative complications. Three patients (5.26%) developed wound infection. One patient (1.75%) developed haematoma at umbilical port site. There was no post-operative intra-abdominal collection. Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe alternative for the treatment of complicated appendicitis. It does not increase the incidence of complications even with complicated appendicitis. Contrary to the previous studies, we did not have increased incidence of intra-abdominal collection in this review. However, prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to verify these findings.     

Laparoscopic appendectomy is recommended for the treatment of complicated appendicitis in children

Laparoscopic appendectomy in children is well accepted for the treatment of non complicated appendicitis. An increased risk of postoperative intraabdominal abcess formation has been reported in complicated appendicitis. The puropose of this study was to compare open (OA) versus laparoscopic appendectomies (LA) in complicated appendicitis in children and to assess the safety and feasibility of LA. The hospital records of 118 consecutive patients who underwent appendectomy for complicated appendicitis (perforated/gangrenous) from 2000 to 2006 were retrospectively analysed. Fifty-four patients had LA and 64 underwent OA. There were 74 males and 44 females. The length of hospital stay ranged from 4 to 12 days in the LA group and 4 to 17 days in the OA group. Five patients (9.2%) in the LA group had post operative complications; intraabdominal collections in 3 and wound infections in 2. Ten patients (15.6%) had postoperative complications in the OA group; intraabdominal collections in 5, wound infection in 3, pleural effusion in 1 and prolonged ileus in 1. In complicated appendicitis the complication rate is lower for LA as compared to OA. We recommend laparoscopic approach to all children presenting with complicated appendicitis.     

Comparison of two methods for the management of appendicular mass in children

Appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in pediatric surgery. In the presence of an appendicular mass, surgical management can be difficult. We evaluate the results of appendix mass management both with immediate operation and conservative treatment over a period of 5 years. Forty children who presented with appendicular mass over a period of 5 years were reviewed. Their mean age was 7.6±2.7 years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 7.8±2.7 days. We evaluated the children in two groups: The first group included 19 children who were operated on immediately, and the second group included 21 children who were managed conservatively, followed by elective appendectomy. In the first group, mean hospitalization time was 8.7±3.2 days. The complication rate was found to be high (26.3%). Ileal injury occurred in two patients, intraabdominal abscess developed in one patient, and wound infection developed in another. Appendectomy could not be done in one patient who required another laparotomy 8 weeks later. In the second group, mean hospitalization time was 8.9±2.6 days. Two patients (8.6%) failed to respond to conservative management. Elective appendectomy was performed after 2–3 months. Two patients returned with perforated appendicitis 5 months and 12 months later, respectively, because they were not brought back for subsequent appendectomy. It can be concluded that conservative treatment of appendicular mass is safe; we also advocate elective appendectomy because of the probable risk of recurrence.