Postappendectomy Intra-abdominal Abscess Research Articles

Is laparoscopic approach still a risk factor for postappendectomy intra-abdominal abscess?

The impact of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) on the incidence of intra-abdominal abscess (IAA) remains controversial. We aimed to identify risk factors for postappendectomy IAA and assess the impact of appendectomy approach in postoperative morbidity. A retrospective single-center study including consecutive patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis between 2015 and 2018 was performed. Demographic, clinical, intraoperative, and perioperative variables were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses was performed to detect independent risk factors for IAA. Comparison of LA and open appendectomy was conducted, and propensity score model (PSM) was used to overcome differences between groups. Independent risk factors for IAA were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses in the PSM cohort. A total of 532 appendectomies were included. The median age was 35 years. Three hundred two patients (56.7%) underwent LA. The most frequent operative finding was American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade 1 appendicitis in 303 patients (57%). Peritonitis was found in 109 patients (20.5%). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 14.4% and 0%, respectively. Intra-abdominal abscess rate was 6.2%. An AAST grade of ≥2, a preoperative C-reactive protein level of >100 mg/dL, and diabetes mellitus were identified as independent risk factors for IAA in the multivariate analysis. Comparing LA and open appendectomy, there were no differences in IAA rates. After PSM, LA showed lower morbidity and shorter hospital stay. Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe approach and not related to a higher risk of IAA. Patients with an AAST grade of ≥2, a preoperative C-reactive protein level of >100, and diabetes mellitus have higher risk for postappendectomy IAA. Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Rapid non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging for post appendectomy intra-abdominal abscess in children.

Acute appendicitis, especially if perforated at presentation, is often complicated by postoperative abscess formation. The detection of a postoperative abscess relies primarily on imaging. This has traditionally been done with contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to accurately detect intra-abdominal abscesses, especially with the use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). To evaluate our single-center experience with a rapid non-contrast MRI protocol evaluating post-appendectomy abscesses in children with persistent postsurgical symptoms. In this retrospective, institutional review board-approved study, all patients underwent a clinically indicated non-contrast 1.5- or 3-Tesla abdomen/pelvis MRI consisting of single-shot fast spin echo, inversion recovery and DWI sequences. All MRI studies were reviewed by two blinded pediatric radiologists to identify the presence of a drainable fluid collection. Each fluid collection was further characterized as accessible or not accessible for percutaneous or transrectal drainage. Imaging findings were compared to clinical outcome. Seven of the 15 patients had a clinically significant fluid collection, and 5 of these patients were treated with percutaneous drain placement or exploratory laparotomy. The other patients had a phlegmon or a clinically insignificant fluid collection and were discharged home within 48h. Rapid non-contrast MRI utilizing fluid-sensitive and DWI sequences can be used to identify drainable fluid collections in post-appendectomy patients. This protocol can be used to triage patients between conservative management vs. abscess drainage without oral/intravenous contrast or exposure to ionizing radiation.

Lymphocyte depression as a predictor of postoperative intraabdominal abscess after appendectomy in children

BackgroundThis study evaluated the efficacy of lymphopenia to predict postappendectomy intraabdominal abscess (IAA) in pediatric complex appendicitis. MethodsThis single-center retrospective cohort study included appendectomy patients with complex appendicitis from 4/2012 to 10/2014. IAA was diagnosed based on imaging or undergoing a drainage procedure. Labs were used from the closest day prior to abscess diagnosis or day of discharge from index admission. Lymphocyte percentage was categorized based on age-specific cutoffs with lymphopenia defined as a low percentage. Comparisons were made using chi-square or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables and Mann–Whitney U-tests for continuous variables. ResultsOf 611 appendectomy patients with complicated appendicitis, 551 had WBC and differential. IAA was identified in 79 (12.9%) patients. There were no significant differences in demographics between IAA and non-IAA groups. Patients with IAA had higher rates of leukocytosis (44.3% versus 12.3%, p<0.001) and higher rates of age-based lymphopenia (84% vs. 46%, p<0.001). IAA was independently associated with leukocytosis (OR 3.65, p<0.001) and lymphopenia (OR 4.46, p<0.001). Patients with leukocytosis and lymphopenia had the highest abscess rate (36%), and those with normal labs had the lowest (3%, p<0.001). ConclusionsLymphocyte depression is a useful adjunct to predict postoperative IAA in patients with complicated appendicitis. Level of EvidenceIII

Post-Appendectomy Intra-Abdominal Abscesses - Can They Successfully Be Managed with the Sole Use of Antibiotic Therapy?

Controversy persists concerning the management of post-appendectomy intra-abdominal abscesses. We hypothesised that most of these abscesses can be successfully managed by antibiotic treatment alone, avoiding the complications of surgical treatment. Hospital records of children treated in our unit for intra-abdominal post-appendectomy abscesses over a 6-year period were reviewed retrospectively. This study investigates a series of 26 children from 2 to 15 years of age presenting with one or more post-appendectomy intra-abdominal abscesses. After an average delay of 7 days after initial surgery, 23 children had developed an isolated abscess, while 3 children had multiple abscesses. Twenty-two patients (84.8 %) were treated conservatively by intravenous triple antibiotic therapy alone. Complete clinical, radiological and biological resolution of the abscesses was obtained in all of these children after a mean hospitalisation of 8 days. Four children (15.2 %) were treated surgically: three children with a stable patient status and one child with septic shock requiring urgent surgery. The results suggest that intravenous triple antibiotic therapy alone is an efficacious first-line treatment in children developing intra-abdominal abscesses following appendectomy. Surgical intervention is rarely necessary except in patients with an alarming patient status or with signs of septic shock.

Multi-Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Intra-Abdominal Abscess

Multi-drug-resistant bacteria are rarely isolated from patients with acute appendicitis. Case report and literature review. We report an unusual case of post-appendectomy intra-abdominal abscess with intra- operative cultures that grew multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. An 11-year-old boy underwent open appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. He developed a superficial surgical site infection at the Penrose drain site on the seventh postoperative day; cultures grew multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. A computed tomography scan revealed an intra- abdominal abscess. Open drainage was performed, and intra-operative cultures grew the same multi-drug-resistant A. baumannii along with Escherichia coli. Post-operative therapy with ceftriaxone may have predisposed the patient to nosocomial infection caused by multi-drug-resistant A. baumannii.

Tratamento não-cirúrgico de abscessos intra-cavitários pós-apendicectomia

OBJETIVOS: avaliar a eficácia do tratamento não cirúrgico em crianças que desenvolveram abscessos intra-cavitários pós-apendicectomia, no Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil, e comparar os resultados obtidos com dois esquemas antimicrobianos (Cefoxitina versus Amicacina com Metronidazol) utilizados. MÉTODOS: o estudo corresponde ao período de janeiro de 1997 a janeiro de 2000 no qual 427 crianças foram apendicectomizadas; 41 delas desenvolveram abscessos intra-cavitários sendo 39 incluídas no estudo. O diagnóstico dos abscessos intra-cavitários baseou-se em sinais clínicos e exames complementares. RESULTADOS: A incidência de abscessos intra-cavitários pós-apendicectomias foi de 9,6%. 89,7% dos pacientes obtiveram sucesso com o tratamento. Não houve diferença entre os percentuais de cura obtidos com os dois esquemas antimicrobianos. CONCLUSÕES: o tratamento não cirúrgico de abscessos intra-cavitários pós-apendicectomias, baseado na antibioticoterapia endovenosa é uma opção segura e eficaz. Os esquemas antimicrobianos com Cefo-xitina e associação de Amicacina com Metronidazol têm eficácia semelhantes. A associação Amicacina com Metronidazol é recomenda pelo seu menor custo.

Management of Postappendectomy Intra-Abdominal Abscesses: A Minimally Invasive Approach

Background: Children with appendicitis frequently (15%–50%)resent with a rupture, after which, postappendectomy intra-abdominal abscesses are common. Management options to date have been percutaneous or open drainage. Patients and Methods: Nine laparoscopic drainages for postappendectomy intra-abdominal abscesses were performed on seven boys and one girl aged 3 to 14 years between March 1996 and January 1999. There were six open and two laparoscopic appendectomies for seven ruptured and one acute appendicitis. Postoperatively, all patients had fever with leukocytosis. The CT scans of the abdomen showed intra-abdominal collections. The average time to the drainage procedure was 8.5 days. Laparoscopic drainage was selected in cases of multiple abscesses or absence of a percutaneous window. Results: There were no deaths or conversions to an open procedure. The median operative time was 2.27 hours. The hospital course was characterized by fever for 2 days, abdominal pain for 2 or 3 days, an average drainage of 255 mL, and an average antibiotic duration of 7 days. Complications were one urinary tract infection and one reaccumulation, which was drained laparoscopically. The average postoperative length of stay was 7 days. All patients were doing well at 3-week follow-up. Conclusions: Laparoscopic drainage of postappendiceal intra-abdominal abscesses can be performed with no increased risk of complications and with less morbidity than an open procedure. It should be part of the pediatric surgeon's armamentarium.

Intra-abdominal abscesses following laparoscopic and open appendectomies

Recent findings in a small number of studies have suggested a trend toward increased infectious complications following laparoscopic appendectomy. The purpose of the present review was to evaluate the incidence of postappendectomy intra-abdominal abscess formation following laparoscopic and open appendectomies. Using the surgical database of the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, we reviewed the records of all appendectomies performed at the center between March 1993 and September 1995. Incidental appendectomies as well as appendectomies in pediatric patients under the age of 18 years were excluded. A total of 2497 appendectomies were identified; indications for these procedures included acute appendicitis in 1422 cases (57%), gangrenous appendicitis in 289 (12%), and perforated appendicitis in 786 (31%). The intraoperative diagnosis made by the surgeon was used for classification. A two-tailed P value of <0.05 was considered significant. There was no significant difference in the rate of abscess formation between the groups undergoing open and laparoscopic appendectomies for acute and gangrenous appendicitis. In patients with perforated appendicitis, a total of 26 postappendectomy intra-abdominal abscesses occurred following 786 appendectomies for an overall abscess formation rate of 3.3%. Eighteen abscesses occurred following 683 open appendectomies (2.6%), six abscesses occurred following 67 laparoscopic appendectomies (9.0%), and the remaining two abscesses occurred following 36 converted cases (5.6%). For perforated appendicitis, however, there was a statistically significant increase in the rate of abscess formation following laparoscopic appendectomy compared to conventional open appendectomy (9.0% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.015). There was no significant difference in the rate of abscess formation between open vs. converted cases or between laparoscopic vs. converted cases. A comparison of the length of the postoperative hospital stay showed no significant difference between open and laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis (6.1 days vs. 5.9 days). Laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis is associated with a higher rate of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess formation without the benefit of a shortened hospital stay. Given these findings, laparoscopic appendectomy is not recommended in patients with perforated appendicitis.