Clinical Analysis of Pediatric Appendicitis That Recurred After Conservative Therapy in Our Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: We evaluate pediatric appendicitis that recurred after conservative therapy in our hospital.

Methods: In our hospital between 2014 and 2019, 135 patients with pediatric appendicitis were evaluated and grouped as follows: 96 operated patients, 28 non-operated patients, and 11 operated patients with recurrence after conservative therapy (hereafter, recurrence patients).

Results: In terms of age, there was no significant difference between these groups of patients. There was a significant difference in the count of leukocytes between the operated and non-operated patients, and between the non-operated and recurrence patients. There was a significant difference in the C-reactive protein level between the operated and non-operated patients, and between the operated and recurrence patients. The maximum diameter of breadth of the swollen appendix (mean ± standard deviation in mm) was measured by ultrasonography or computed tomography as follows: 10.7 ± 3.2 (operated patients), 5.5 ± 2.0 (non-operated patients), and 8.0 ± 2.6 (recurrence patients), and there was a significant difference between the groups.

Conclusions: The high recurrence rate after conservative therapy among patients with an enlarged appendix of 8 mm diameter or larger indicates that interval appendectomy should be considered for such patients.