TP9.2.19Factors Associated with Multiple Presentations Prior to Appendicectomy in Children Presenting with Suspected Appendicitis

Abstract

Abstract Aims Appendicectomy is amongst the most common emergency operations in children. We aim to audit the rate of re-presentation within 30-days prior to appendicectomy in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected appendicitis and identify the factors associated with re-presentations. Methods Retrospective review of the medical notes of all children that had an emergency appendicectomies between June 2016 and June 2019. Results A total of 231 appendicectomies were performed, all presented through ED, with 8.2%(n = 19) re-presenting within 30-days prior to appendicectomy. Negative appendicectomy rates were similar in those that had appendectomy at initial presentation or when they re-presented (13.2(n = 28)%vs.15.8%(n = 3), p = 0.752), respectively. Of those that re-presented, 84.2%(n = 16) were not reviewed by the surgical team at the index presentation. Female patients accounted for 62.5%(n = 10) of those that re-presented, compared with 31%(n = 57) of those that presented once(p = 0.010). Pyrexia(p = 0.029), Rovsing's sign(p = 0.032), nausea or vomiting(p = 0.012) was associated with histological appendicitis. Absence of migratory pain(p = 0.005), anorexia(p = 0.004), right iliac fossa tenderness(p < 0.001) or guarding(p < 0.001) was associated with higher successful discharge rate. Among those re-presented, there was significant CRP rise between first and second presentation (median(Q1,Q3): 6(1.25,28.5)vs.95.5(27,176.5), p = 0.016) however, white cell count was comparable (median(Q1,Q3): 14.6(11.98,16.05)vs.14.0(11.02,18.58), p = 0.815). Conclusion Clinical symptoms and signs correlated with histological appendicitis. A significant proportion of those that re-presented were not assessed by the surgical team at initial presentation. Early surgical consultation at initial presentation may reduce rates of re-presentation.