Rate Of Appendicitis Research Articles

Antibiotic Stewardship through Use of a Preferred Antibiotic Regimen is Associated with Decreased Organ Space Surgical Site Infections in Uncomplicated and Complicated Pediatric Appendicitis.

Background: There is a lack of consensus on the optimal antibiotic regimen for pediatric appendicitis, and conflicting data exist regarding the need for extended-spectrum use in this population. We implemented an antibiotic stewardship program with a standard, preferred antibiotic regimen for both uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis and hypothesized that clinical outcomes would be equivalent. Methods: This is a single-institution, retrospective study of pediatric patients (≤18 y) who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis between October 2015 and May 2022. We used institutional data from our stewardship program supplemented by manual chart review. Patients were assigned to pre- and post-pathway cohorts on the basis of appendectomy date. Patients were further stratified on the basis of whether they met criteria for complicated appendicitis on the basis of intra-operative findings. Results: There were 752 patients that were included: 346 (46.0%) in the pre-pathway cohort and 406 (54.0%) in the post-pathway cohort. The pre-pathway cohort had a higher rate of complicated appendicitis (40.2 vs. 25.6%). However, pre- and post-pathway cohorts had similar rates of post-operative infections, readmissions, and reoperations. When separated by complicated operative findings, patients with uncomplicated appendicitis had a shorter length of stay post-pathway implementation (p < 0.001). After controlling for complicated operative findings and pertinent covariates, the preferred antibiotic regimen was independently associated with decreased odds of post-operative organ space surgical site infections (SSI) (adjusted odds ratio 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05-0.99). Discussion: Antibiotic stewardship to increase the use of a standardized, preferred antibiotic regimen did not result in worse clinical outcomes. The preferred regimen was significantly associated with a decreased rate of organ space SSI, even when controlling for complicated operative findings. The mechanism of this finding requires additional study.

Visual Endoscopic Retrograde Appendicitis Therapy versus Antibiotic Therapy for Treatment of Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis.

Visual endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (V-ERAT) involves a Single-use Video Scope, allowing real-time visualization of the appendiceal lumen during the procedure to treat uncomplicated acute appendicitis (AA). This study aims to compare V-ERAT to antibiotic therapy in treating uncomplicated AA. This multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted at nine hospitals in China from August 2021 to July 2023. Propensity score matching was performed to minimize selection bias. A total of 692 uncomplicated AA patients were included, with 188 undergoing V-ERAT and 504 receiving antibiotic therapy. The primary outcome was treatment success rate. The secondary outcomes included recurrent appendicitis rate, the appendectomy rate during the initial hospitalization, length of initial hospitalization, time to disease recurrence, and overall adverse events. The treatment success rate did not differ between the V-ERAT and antibiotic groups (93.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 89.1% to 96.7% vs. 90.5%; 95% CI, 87.6% to 92.9%) ( P = 0.225). However, V-ERAT demonstrated a significantly lower risk of appendicitis recurrence compared to antibiotic therapy during the follow-up (log-rank P < 0.001), with a hazard ratio of 0.14 (95% CI 0.07-0.29, P < 0.001). V-ERAT was associated with a lower appendectomy rate during the initial hospitalization (4.3%; 95% CI, 1.9% to 8.2% vs. 9.5%; 95% CI, 7.1 to 12.4%) (P = 0.027), a shorter length of initial hospitalization (3 [IQR, 3-4] vs. 4 [IQR, 4-6] days, P < 0.001), and a longer time to recurrence (269 [IQR, 210-318] vs. 70 [IQR, 21-103] days, P < 0.001). The overall adverse event rates did not differ between the two groups (log-rank P = 0.064). V-ERAT appears to be a safe and effective alternative to antibiotic therapy in treating uncomplicated AA, significantly reducing the risk of appendicitis recurrence.

SP2.5 - The Impact of Timing on Outcomes in Appendicectomy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Abstract Aims Appendicectomy remains the standard treatment for appendicitis. There is a lack of clarity on the timeframe in which surgery should be performed to avoid unfavourable outcomes. We aimed to perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis to evaluate the impact the (1)time-of-day surgery is performed, (2)time elapsed from symptom onset to hospital presentation (patient time), (3)time elapsed from hospital presentation to surgery (hospital time), and (4)time elapsed from symptom onset to surgery (total time) have on appendicectomy outcomes. Methods A systematic review was performed as per PRISMA-NMA guidelines. The time-of-day which surgery was done was divided into day, evening and night. The other groups were divided into &amp;lt;24 hours, 24-48 hours and &amp;gt;48 hours. The rate of complicated appendicitis, operative time, perforation, post-operative complications, surgical site infection (SSI), length of stay (LOS), readmission and mortality rates were analysed. Results Sixteen studies were included with a total of 232,678 patients. The time of day at which surgery was performed had no impact on outcomes. The incidence of complicated appendicitis, post-operative complications and LOS were significantly better when the hospital time and total time were &amp;lt;24 hours. Readmission and mortality rates were significantly better when the hospital time was &amp;lt;48 hours. SSI, operative time, and the rate of perforation were comparable in all groups. Conclusion Appendicectomy within 24 hours of hospital admission is associated with improved outcomes. The time-of-day which surgery is performed does not impact outcomes. Appendicectomy should be performed promptly upon confirmation of diagnosis to reduce complication rates and improve outcomes.

Association of complicated appendicitis with geographic and socioeconomic measures in children

BackgroundComplicated appendicitis, considered a marker of delay in accessing surgical care among children, has been inconsistently associated with race, socioeconomic status, insurance type, rurality, and distance to care. This statewide assessment measured factors associated with complicated appendicitis while overcoming limitations of prior work, namely, selection bias and use of inexact socioeconomic status measures. MethodsChildren (<18 years) undergoing appendectomy for appendicitis in Wisconsin from 2018 to 2021 were identified in the Wisconsin Hospital Association database. Patient residence and hospital locations were used to determine rurality, travel distances, and socioeconomic status as measured by Area Deprivation Index, Child Opportunity Index, Community Need Index, and county-level poverty rates. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with complicated appendicitis. ResultsAmong 5,881 children undergoing appendectomy, 1,375 (23.4%) had complicated appendicitis. Adjusting for other variables, complicated appendicitis was associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio 0.90 per year increase); Hispanic White race/ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio 1.40–1.63); distance to the hospital where surgery was performed (adjusted odds ratio 1.16–1.17 per 10-mile increase); and very low Child Opportunity Index (adjusted odds ratio 1.29), Community Need Index (adjusted odds ratio 1.20 per 1-score increase), and county-level poverty (adjusted odds ratio 1.02 per 1% increase). Insurance type, rurality, and Area Deprivation Index were not associated with complicated appendicitis. Residential county-level complicated appendicitis rates (0.0%–50.0%) had moderate correlation to pediatric county-level poverty rates (rs=0.43). ConclusionComplicated appendicitis was associated with Child Opportunity Index, Community Need Index, and county-level poverty but not insurance type, rurality, or Area Deprivation Index. There was geographic variability in complicated appendicitis rates, with modest correlation to county-level poverty. Targeted interventions among Hispanic populations and those with travel- and socioeconomic status–related barriers to care may be beneficial in preventing complicated appendicitis among children.

Acute Appendicitis in Children in the Era of Covid-19.

Abdominal pain is a common complaint encountered by paediatric surgeons. This complaint could be related to surgical or non-surgical causes. With coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the incidence of abdominal pain has increased and mimicked acute appendicitis in paediatric patients. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric acute appendicitis in terms of demographic data (age and sex), and operative findings, specifically, the complicated appendicitis and negative appendectomy rates. This retrospective cohort study reviewed the records of children aged 5-15 years, who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent surgery between January 2018 and December 2021. The patients were divided into pre-pandemic and pandemic groups. Demographic, operative and histopathological findings were compared between the two groups. A significant increase in the incidence of acute abdominal pain amongst the admitted children (39.8% vs. 32.7%, P < 0.0001) and a significant decrease in the incidence of acute appendicitis (27% vs. 33%, P < 0.013) were observed in the pandemic group. An associated non-significant increase in the rates of complicated appendicitis (30% vs. 26%, P = 0.299) and negative appendectomy (5.8% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.359) was noted. During the pandemic period, no statistically significant differences were found between polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive and PCR-negative patients in complicated appendicitis or negative appendectomy rates (30% vs. 29.7%, P = 0.841, and 6.7% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.424, respectively). COVID-19 is associated with an increased incidence of acute abdominal pain in children but a decreased rate of acute appendicitis. The latter tends to present at a younger age than usual. The rates of complicated appendicitis and negative appendectomy increased but were not significantly affected by the pandemic or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection status.

Identification of children with a nondiagnostic ultrasound at a low appendicitis risk using a pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator.

Up to 50% of ultrasounds (USs) for suspected pediatric appendicitis are nondiagnostic. While the validated low-risk clinical pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator (pARC) score < 15% and the low-risk US with nonvisualized appendix and no periappendiceal inflammation carry relatively low appendicitis risks, the contribution of the combination of both characteristics to this risk has never been assessed. The primary objective was to determine the proportion of children with the low-risk US-low-risk pARC combination with appendicitis. We hypothesized that this proportion would be 2.5% (upper 95% CI ≤ 5%). A retrospective cohort study of 448 previously healthy children 4-17 years old at a pediatric ED with suspected appendicitis, nondiagnostic US, and persistent clinical concern about appendicitis. Two investigators abstracted demographic, clinical, and imaging data. Based on published criteria, USs were classified as low-risk or high-risk. The pARC includes seven demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables and is quantified according to the published formula. The primary outcome was appendicitis, based on the histological evidence. All nonoperated patients underwent a 1-month-follow-up to exclude delayed appendicitis diagnoses. Sixty of the 448 (13.4%) patients had appendicitis; 269 (60%) had low-risk US, 262 (58.4%) had low-risk pARC, and 163 (36.4%) had both characteristics. The appendicitis rates with low-risk pARC alone and low-risk US alone were 14/262 (5.4%) and 21/269 (7.8%), respectively. A total of 2/163 children (1.2%) with low-risk pARC and low-risk US had appendicitis (95% CI 0%-4.4%). Higher-risk US increased the appendicitis odds 5 (95% CI 1.54-20.55) to 11 times (95% CI 2.41-51.10) across pARC levels. The low-risk combination had sensitivity of 96.7% (95% CI 88.5%-99.6%), specificity of 41.5%, positive predictive value of 20.4%, and negative predictive value of 98.8% (95% CI 95.6%-99.9%). The children with low-risk pARC and low-risk US combination are unlikely to have appendicitis and can be discharged home. The presence of higher-risk US-pARC score combinations substantially increases the appendicitis risk and warrants reassessment or interval imaging.

Trends and levels of the global, regional, and national burden of appendicitis between 1990 and 2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency that poses a large clinical and economic burden. Understanding the global burden of appendicitis is crucial for evaluating unmet needs and implementing and scaling up intervention services to reduce adverse health outcomes. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the global, regional, and national burden of appendicitis, by age and sex, from 1990 to 2021. Vital registration and verbal autopsy data, the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm), and demographic estimates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) were used to estimate cause-specific mortality rates (CSMRs) for appendicitis. Incidence data were extracted from insurance claims and inpatient discharge sources and analysed with disease modelling meta-regression, version 2.1 (DisMod-MR 2.1). Years of life lost (YLLs) were estimated by combining death counts with standard life expectancy at the age of death. Years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated by multiplying incidence estimates by an average disease duration of 2 weeks and a disability weight for abdominal pain. YLLs and YLDs were summed to estimate disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). In 2021, the global age-standardised mortality rate of appendicitis was 0·358 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 0·311-0·414) per 100 000. Mortality rates ranged from 1·01 (0·895-1·13) per 100 000 in central Latin America to 0·054 (0·0464-0·0617) per 100 000 in high-income Asia Pacific. The global age-standardised incidence rate of appendicitis in 2021 was 214 (174-274) per 100 000, corresponding to 17 million (13·8-21·6) new cases. The incidence rate was the highest in high-income Asia Pacific, at 364 (286-475) per 100 000 and the lowest in western sub-Saharan Africa, at 81·4 (63·9-109) per 100 000. The global age-standardised rates of mortality, incidence, YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs due to appendicitis decreased steadily between 1990 and 2021, with the largest reduction in mortality and YLL rates. The global annualised rate of decline in the DALY rate was greatest in children younger than the age of 10 years. Although mortality rates due to appendicitis decreased in all regions, there were large regional variations in the temporal trend in incidence. Although the global age-standardised incidence rate of appendicitis has steadily decreased between 1990 and 2021, almost half of GBD regions saw an increase of greater than 10% in their age-standardised incidence rates. Slow but promising progress has been observed in reducing the overall burden of appendicitis in all regions. However, there are important geographical variations in appendicitis incidence and mortality, and the relationship between these measures suggests that many people still do not have access to quality health care. As the incidence of appendicitis is rising in many parts of the world, countries should prepare their health-care infrastructure for timely, high-quality diagnosis and treatment. Given the risk that improved diagnosis may counterintuitively drive apparent rising trends in incidence, these efforts should be coupled with improved data collection, which will also be crucial for understanding trends and developing targeted interventions. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Characteristics of and cost of care for children with impaired development and acute appendicitis: A study of two national databases

BackgroundCharacteristics of children with impaired development who have acute appendicitis are not well described in the literature. MethodsWe reviewed the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric and the multicenter Pediatric Health Information System for patients with acute appendicitis. Comparisons for demographics, clinical outcomes, and hospital charges between children with impaired development versus neurotypical children were made using independent t test or Wilcoxon rank sum tests. The multivariable logistic regression model estimated the odds of complicated acute appendicitis in impaired development patients. Based on correlation analyses, hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the extent to which impaired development influenced resource use. ResultsPatients with impaired development were younger, had higher comorbidities, and were more commonly male sex. In the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database, impaired development was associated with higher rates of complicated acute appendicitis (33.6% vs 27.5, P < .001), particularly in older children, and higher usage of computed tomography at National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric hospitals (23.1% vs 15.1%, P < .001). In the Pediatric Health Information System database, the adjusted odds of complicated acute appendicitis were significantly higher in patients with impaired development (1.20 [1.09–1.31]), low childhood opportunity level (1.39 [95% confidence interval: 1.31–1.47]), and Black race (1.25 [1.17–1.33]). Hierarchical adjusted linear modeling showed that impaired development was associated with significantly higher hospital charges (9% increase). ConclusionManagement of acute appendicitis in children with impaired development remains a challenge to clinicians, as evidenced by the higher rate of perforated appendicitis in older children, diagnostic computed tomography use at National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric hospitals, postoperative computed tomography use, and increased costs.

Withstanding the COVID19 pandemic - A tertiary children’s hospital’s commitment to equitable care

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to perceived increases in the rates of complicated appendicitis. Multiple studies have shown, both in adults and children, higher rates of complicated appendicitis among patients with Medicaid insurance. At our institution, we previously found that, contrary to statewide and nationwide findings, no differences in complicated appendicitis rates existed based on age, sex, race, insurance status, socioeconomic status, and income level. The purpose of this study was to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic altered our previous findings. Methods: The electronic medical record of a large tertiary children’s hospital was queried for all patients with ICD 10 appendicitis codes from 1/1/2017-12/31/2020. Patient records were reviewed to determine complicated (defined as having either a hole in the appendix, extraluminal fecalith, well-formed abscess, or frank stool in the abdomen) vs. uncomplicated appendicitis. Demographic information including age, sex, race, ethnicity, and insurance type were collected. Rates of complicated appendicitis were compared across years. Correlation between rates of complicated appendicitis and demographic variables was determined both within and across years. Results: The rate of complicated appendicitis was not significantly different across years from 2017-2020. There was no significant difference in the rate of complicated appendicitis based on age, sex, race, ethnicity, or insurance type. Conclusion: While some U.S. centers and those abroad found a significantly higher rate of complicated appendicitis in 2020 compared to prior years, the rate of complicated appendicitis at a large tertiary children’s hospital did not change during the pandemic. No disparities exist based on age, sex, race, ethnicity, or insurance type.

Exploring the seasonal impact on appendectomy: incidence, patterns, predictors, and healthcare implication of appendectomy at Prince Ali military hospital

Background: This study at Prince Ali military hospital in Al Karak, Jordan, investigates seasonal variations in appendicitis incidence and outcomes, assessing diagnostic and treatment strategies across different seasons. The aim is to understand how seasonal changes influence appendicitis rates and to evaluate the effectiveness of diagnostic methods and treatment approaches. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 321 confirmed cases of inflamed or perforated appendicitis from March 2021 to February 2024. Patient demographics, dates of surgery, surgical interventions, and postoperative complications were analyzed, with a focus on seasonal trends. Results: Out of 394 reviewed cases, 321 (81.47%) met the inclusion criteria, showing significant seasonal variations in appendicitis incidence. Autumn saw the highest rate of appendicitis cases at 32.09% while the lowest was in Winter (22.12%). Regarding normal appendix, the highest rate was in winter (21.98%), and the lowest was in summer (13.09%). The mean patient age was 25.20 years, with a majority being male (66.36%). Open surgeries were the most common, comprising 91.9% of cases, compared to 8.1% for laparoscopic procedures. Diagnostic analysis revealed a very strong correlation between CT findings and histopathological outcomes (p=3.23×10^-11) and a significant but less strong correlation for ultrasound findings (p=0.000446). These results suggest that both diagnostic methods are effective, with CT scans showing a stronger correlation. The distribution of cases across seasons was 32.087% in autumn, 23.05% in spring, 22.741% in summer, and 22.118% in winter. Conclusions: Significant seasonal peaks in appendicitis are evident, particularly in autumn, driven by changes in diet and viral infections. The superior effectiveness of CT scans during winter highlights the need for adaptive diagnostic strategies across seasons. These findings advocate for healthcare systems to seasonally adjust resources and diagnostics to optimize appendicitis management, with further research needed to expand these insights globally.

Potential causes of delays in paediatric perforated appendicitis: A prospective interview study.

Delays in care may be a driver of inequities in perforated appendicitis rates. The goal of this study was to explore potential causes of delay in care for children with perforated appendicitis. We conducted an interview study of caregivers of children admitted with perforated appendicitis to a children's hospital between December 2022 and March 2023. Semi-structured interviews based on an iteratively revised interview guide were conducted in-person during the child's admission. All interviews were transcribed, coded and underwent a process of thematic analysis. We reached thematic saturation after 12 interviews. The median age for children was 13.5 years, 50% were male, 83% of caregivers self-identified as White, and one interview required an interpreter. Through thematic analysis, four major themes for potential causes of delay emerged. The first theme of symptom recognition includes delays related to recognising the symptoms, their severity and the need for medical evaluation. The second theme - accessing care - describes delays that occur after a decision was made to seek care until the child was evaluated. The third theme includes delays that occur in making the diagnosis after evaluation. The last theme captures potential delays in definitive treatment after a diagnosis of appendicitis is made. We identify four major themes from the patient and family perspective, each with multiple sub-themes, for potential delays in definitive care for children with perforated appendicitis. Additional research is needed to further characterise these potential delays and quantify their role in contributing to inequities in perforation rates.

Perforated Appendicitis in Children: Management, Microbiology, and Antibiotic Stewardship.

Although appendicitis has been described for more than 300 years, its optimal management remains a topic of active investigation. Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of peritonitis in children, and rates of perforated appendicitis are much higher in children than in adults. Increased risk for perforated appendicitis in children is related to a delay in diagnosis due to age, size, access to care, and more. Surgical options include immediate appendectomy versus nonoperative management with intravenous antibiotics ± a drainage procedure, with a subsequent interval appendectomy. Microbiota of perforated appendicitis in children most often includes Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis, Streptococcus, and more. Even though the most common organisms are known, there is a large variety of practice when it comes to postoperative antibiotic management in these patients. Studies discuss the benefits of mono- versus dual or triple therapy without a particular consensus regarding what to use. This is reflected across differing practices at various institutions. In this review, we aim to explore the implications of perforated appendicitis in pediatrics, common organisms seen, antibiotic regimen coverage, and the implications of variations of practice. Resistance to commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotics is evolving, therefore minimization of care variability is needed for improved patient outcomes and proper antibiotic stewardship.

Acute Appendicitis in the Elderly: A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) in older individuals remains understudied. We aimed to assess AA characteristics in patients older than 60 years and evaluate the impact of comorbidities. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from the American National Inpatient Sample between 2016 and 2019 to compare AA characteristics in patients younger and older than 60 years. Results: Of the 538,400 patients included, 27.5% were older than 60 years. Younger patients had a higher appendectomy rate (p < 0.01), while the complicated appendicitis rate was higher in older patients. Superficial wound infection, systemic infection, and mortality rates were higher in older patients (p < 0.01). Risk factors for superficial wound infection in patients younger than 60 years included cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, heart failure, and obesity, whereas only heart failure was a risk factor in older patients. Risk factors for systemic infection in young patients included hypertension, heart failure, obesity, and diabetes mellitus, while in older patients they included hypertension, heart failure, and obesity. Complicated appendicitis was not a risk factor for infections in either group. Conclusions: This study highlights a higher incidence of AA in older individuals than previously reported, with comorbidities posing differing risks for infections between age groups.

Pre-hospital management and patient-related factors affecting access to the surgical care of appendicitis – a survey study

Background and aims Long pre-hospital delay substantially increases the likelihood of perforated appendicitis. This study aimed to find patient-related factors affecting this delay. Methods A survey was conducted for patients with acute appendicitis after appendectomy. The participants were asked about their path to the surgical center and socioeconomic status. Variables affecting delays and the rate of complicated appendicitis were analyzed. Results The study included 510 patients; 157 (31%) had complicated appendicitis with a median prehospital delay of 42 h. In patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, the delay was 21 h, p < .001. Forty-six (29%) patients with complicated appendicitis were not referred to the hospital after the first doctor’s visit. The multivariate analysis discovered factors associated with long pre-hospital delay: age 40–64 years (OR 1.63 (95% CI 1.06–2.52); compared to age 18–39), age more than 64 years (OR 2.84 (95% CI 1.18–6.80); compared to age 18–39), loss of appetite (OR 2.86 (95% CI 1.64–4.98)), fever (OR 1.66 (95% CI 1.08–2.57)), non-referral by helpline nurse (OR 2.02 (95% CI 1.15–3.53)) and non-referral at first doctors visit (OR 2.16 (95% CI 1.32–3.53)). Age 40–64 years (OR 2.41 (95% CI 1.50–3.88)), age more than 64 years (OR 8.79 (95% CI 2.19–35.36)), fever (OR 1.83 (95% CI 1.15–2.89)) and non-referral at first doctors visit (OR 1.90 (95% CI 1.14–3.14)) were also risk factors for complicated appendicitis. Conclusions Advanced age, fever and failure to suspect acute appendicitis in primary care are associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay and complicated appendicitis.

Beyond acute appendicitis: a single-institution experience of unexpected pathology findings after 989 consecutive emergency appendectomy.

Appendiceal neoplasms (ANs) are rare, with an estimated incidence of around 1%: neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs) comprise most cases. Most tumours are cured by appendectomy alone, although some require right hemicolectomy and intra-operative chemotherapy. The aim of the present study is to evaluate our institution's experience in terms of the prevalence of AN, their histological types, treatment and outcomes in adult patients undergoing emergency appendectomy. Single-centre retrospective cohort analysis of patients treated for acute appendicitis at a large academic medical centre. Patients with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) where further compared with patients with acute appendicitis and a histologically confirmed diagnosis of appendiceal neoplasm (AN). A diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made in 1200 patients. Of these, 989 patients underwent emergency appendectomy. The overall incidence of appendiceal neoplasm was 9.3% (92 patients). AN rate increased with increasing age. Patients under the age of 30 had a 3.8% (14/367 patients) rate of occult neoplasm, whereas patients between 40 and 89years and older had a 13.0% rate of neoplasm. No difference was found in clinical presentations and type of approach while we found a lower complicated appendicitis rate in the AN group. ANs are less rare with respect to the literature; however, clinically, there are no specific signs of suspicious and simple appendicectomy appears to be curative in most cases. However, age plays an important role; older patients are at higher risk for AN. ANs still challenge the non-operative management concept introduced into the surgical literature.

Incidence, clinical course, and perioperative outcomes of appendicitis in obese: a retrospective study

Objective: This study aimed to assess the incidence of acute appendicitis in obese patients and to comprehensively assess how obesity impacts its clinical course and perioperative outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted to explore the incidence of appendicitis among obese patients over 2 years (2021-2022) in one center in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. Results: The appendicitis rate was 9.8% among all patients and 2.7% among obese patients. Adult patients had a median interquartile range (IQR) age of 28 (13) years, while children had a (IQR) age of 11. The median of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was affected by their body mass index (BMI) (non-obese vs. obese adults, 120.5 vs. 134 mmHg; p-value = 0.022) (non-obese vs. obese children, 110 vs. 122 mmHg; p-value = 0.048). The median heart rate of obese children was significantly lower than that of non-obese children (73% vs. 95%) (p-value = 0.019). Abnormal computed tomography (CT) findings were higher among obese patients as compared to non-obese (37.5% vs. 1.8%) (p-value = 0.003). The rate of open appendectomy was higher in nonobese patients (adults: 64.5% vs. 25%, p-value = 0.046) (children: 70.9% vs. 0%, p-value = 0.016). Antibiotic administration for appendicitis management was significantly higher among obese children (66.7%) than others (7.7%) (p-value = 0.022). Conclusion: Lower rate of appendicitis was observed in obese patients. This study highlighted the importance of BMI in appendicitis management. BMI can affect vital signs, such as SBP or heartbeat rate, surgical method choice, surgery duration, and antibiotic use.

Diagnosis of acute appendicitis by modified Alvarado score vs. ultrasound based on histopathological findings: A comparative study

Background: Acute appendicitis commonly causes emergency surgery. Clinical examination accuracy ranges from 71-97%; despite ultrasound diagnostic improvements, accuracy depends mainly on operator experience. This study uses a modified version of the Alvarado score, excluding one laboratory finding (shift to the left of neutrophil maturation). As differential count is not routinely undertaken in the study site (Erbil), patients were scored out of 9 rather than 10 points. This study compares the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and modified Alvarado score in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, to reduce appendicitis mortality and morbidity, and reduce rates of negative appendicitis. Methodology: The study design was a prospective cross-sectional comparative study, which took place in the Surgery, Radiology and Histopathology Department of Rizgary Teaching Hospital and Rozhalat Emergency Hospital, Erbil, from January 2019 to December 2021. All patients who presented to the emergency room with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis were clinically evaluated. Patients who had a modified Alvarado score &gt; 8 were considered positive for modified Alvarado, and those scoring 6-7 were considered negative for modified Alvarado and were considered for ultrasound examination; among the latter, those with positive ultrasound results were included in the study. Results: Among the 468 patients, 257 (54.9%) were male and 211 (45.1%) were female (1.22:1 male: female ratio), with a mean age of 23.45 ± 2.1 years (ranging from 12 to 56 years). Modified ultrasonography has a sensitivity of 82% and an accuracy of 79.9%; the modified Alvarado score had a sensitivity of 95.2% and an accuracy of 87%. There was no association between the mean age of male and female patients with the histopathological results. The most commonly affected age group was the cohort 21-30 years (51.7% of all patients). The number of patients with positive histopathology was 411; negative histopathology was recorded for 57 patients, with no association between histopathological results and gender. There was a significant association between symptoms (cough signs, localized tenderness signs, and pointing signs) and positive histopathology findings. Conclusion: Modified Alvarado score has higher sensitivity than ultrasound, while ultrasound has a higher specificity. Neither tool is superior to the other, nor both need to be used together to reduce negative appendectomy rates.

A prospective study of relevance of interval appendicectomy in treatment of appendicular lump

Appendicitis is one of the most common diseases that a surgeon faces in practice. Sometimes patients may present a few days after the onset of acute appendicitis with a palpable mass a phlegmon is a type of inflammatory tumour that consists of an inflamed appendix, as well as the larger omentum and associated viscera.To evaluate the need for interval appendicectomy in patients with appendicular lump. The study included all patients with an appendicular mass and was put on conservative management. . Failures of resolution of mass with conservative management were taken up for appendicectomy. The patients were discharged on successful conservative management and followed up at regular intervals for 12 months. Any patient with features suggesting recurrence of acute appendicitis on follow up was admitted and taken up for appendicectomy. All of the above information was gathered and statistically evaluated.Out of 58 cases of appendicular mass, 3 (5.17%) were operated due to failure of resolution of mass. The remaining 55 (94.83%) cases were successfully treated conservatively and followed up regularly for 12 months. 4 (7.27%) patients were lost to follow up. 1 (1.81%) patient revealed carcinoma of caecum and underwent right hemicolectomy. The remaining 50 (86.2%) cases, from which 42 (84%) patients remained recurrence free. 8 patients (16%) had recurrent appendicitis, out of which 7 (14%) patients underwent emergency appendicectomy, 1(2%) patient developed appendicular lump and was treated non operatively. In our study recurrence rate of acute appendicitis following resolution of appendicular mass is low (16%). So interval appendicectomy have to no longer be the rule in all patients after resolution of mass and should be reserved for patients with recurrences or with increased risk factors for recurrence.

Addressing health equity in pediatric surgical care in the United States– Progress and challenges

There are notable inequities in health outcomes for children based on their social determinants of health (SDOH), including where they are born and live, their primary language, their race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and more. These health inequities are not restricted to resource limited settings; here we highlight three broad topics that are relevant to pediatric surgeons in the United States (US): access to care and disparities, and examples of inequities in firearm-related injuries and appendicitis.Most of our patients will at some point require operative interventions, yet there can be significant challenges in accessing this care and navigating our health systems, particularly around complex perioperative care. There are significant opportunities to improve equitable care by helping patients navigate our health systems and connecting them with additional resources, including screening for primary care services.Firearm-related injuries are now the leading cause of death in children in the US, with significant associated morbidity for non-fatal injuries. There are notable inequities in the risk of injury and types of injuries experienced by children based on their SDOH. Appendicitis is one of the most common pathologies managed by pediatric surgeons, with similar inequities in the rates of perforated appendicitis based on a child's SDOH.For both issues, addressing the inequities our patients experience requires moving upstream and working towards prevention. Key opportunities include better research and data to understand the drivers for observed inequities, multidisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and public health advocacy among others. As a profession, we have a responsibility to work to address the health inequities our patients experience.

Influence of the urgency of the time of surgery on the rate of perforated appendicitis in patients with acute appendicitis : Results of the randomized PERFECT study

Influence of the urgency of the time of surgery on the rate of perforated appendicitis in patients with acute appendicitis : Results of the randomized PERFECT study