Is a nasogastric tube necessary after transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy in children with perforated appendicitis?

Abstract

This study assessed the necessity of postoperative nasogastric tube (NGT) use in acute pediatric cases of perforated appendicitis. All cases of acute pediatric perforated appendicitis managed with transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy at our hospital from 2011 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-two cases were selected and divided into two groups based on NGT placement. There were no significant differences between the two groups in most parameters of patient demographics, or surgical data. Notably, the mean time to first oral intake and to regular diet was significantly shorter in no-NGT group (1day vs 3days, P < 0.0001; and 4days vs 7days, P = 0.003, respectively). Postoperative length of stay was significantly shorter in no-NGT group (7days vs 9days, P < 0.0001). Considering the results of our analysis, we believe that routine NGT placement is not always necessary in these situations.