Acute appendicitis: modern understanding of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management

Economic Evaluation of Acute Appendicitis Therapeutic Interventions: A Systematic Review

Background and Aims

Acute appendicitis (AA) is a prevalent cause of lower abdominal pain, often leading patients to seek emergency department care, particularly among young individuals. The present study aimed to systematically review cost-effectiveness studies focusing on therapeutic interventions for AA.

Method

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically reviewed economic evaluations of AA treatments published between 2000 and 2020. We searched multiple databases, including Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The studies included in this review were assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) checklist, and cost data were standardized to 2022 US dollars.

Results

Out of the 53 screened studies, 11 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The studies' average QHES score was of high quality (0.87). Most studies were from the payer's perspective and the health system (four studies each). Five studies were based on the decision tree model, and three were based on the Markov model. Four studies were conducted on children. Of the 11 studies reviewed, five support the cost-effectiveness of laparoscopy, five support the cost-effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, and one supports the cost-effectiveness of open appendectomy.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, laparoscopic therapeutic intervention, compared to open appendectomy, can be more cost-effective for the treatment of patients with AA.

Complicated appendicitis presenting as anterior abdominal wall abscess in a diabetic patient: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies (8.6 % in men and 6.4 % in women), with varying presentations, including complications such as appendicular abscess. While the typical clinical course involves right lower quadrant pain and fever, rare complications can present with atypical symptoms, particularly in high-risk patients such as those with diabetes.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 55-year-old diabetic female presented with a 10-day history of worsening abdominal pain, foul-smelling discharge at the anterior abdominal wall below the umbilicus, and fever. Imaging revealed an appendicular abscess extending into the anterior abdominal wall. Emergency exploratory laparotomy showed a perforated appendix with a purulent collection in the peritoneal cavity extending to the anterior abdominal wall, requiring drainage and right hemicolectomy.

DISCUSSION

Perforated appendicitis (incidence of 20-30 %), particularly in diabetic patients, can lead to localized abscesses or soft tissue infections in atypical locations such as the abdominal wall. These rare complications are more likely in immunocompromised individuals, including those with diabetes, where the incidence of perforated appendicitis is notably higher. Early imaging with ultrasonography or Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography is critical for identifying complicated appendicitis and guiding surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

Anterior abdominal wall abscesses as a complication of perforated appendicitis are rare but significant. This case underscores the importance of early and accurate diagnosis, supported by imaging, to guide appropriate surgical management. Timely intervention can help prevent life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the risk of postoperative complications, particularly in high-risk populations.

Modified single-port laparoscopic appendectomy using needle-type grasping forceps vs conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis

BACKGROUND

Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy is an advanced minimally invasive surgery that involves the use of upgraded instruments and equipment. We previously modified single-port laparoscopic appendectomy with needle-type grasping forceps (mSLAN) for patients with simple appendicitis, but the feasibility and safety of our modified procedure need further evaluation in a high-quality clinical study.

AIM

To compare the short-term clinical outcomes of mSLAN with those of conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) for patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis.

METHODS

This single-center, single-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial included patients who underwent emergency laparoscopic appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis at our center between April 2024 and August 2024. Patients were randomly divided into the mSLAN group or the CLA group via computer-generated randomization. The primary endpoint was the 24-hour postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score, and the secondary endpoints included the operative time, 24-hour postoperative inflammatory response biomarkers (including white blood cells, the neutrophil ratio, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein), time to first postoperative exhaust, time to first out-of-bed activity, postoperative length of hospital stay, cost of hospitalization, and incidence of postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 72 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups: The mSLAN group (n = 36) and the CLA group (n = 36). The 24-hour VAS scores, 24-hour postoperative inflammatory response marker levels, first postoperative exhaust times, first out-of-bed activity times, postoperative lengths of hospital stay, operative times, or hospitalization costs did not significantly differ between the two groups. No postoperative complications, including incision infection or hernia, abdominal abscess or intestinal obstruction, were observed during the 1-month postoperative follow-up in either group.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the CLA protocol, the mSLAN protocol for acute uncomplicated appendicitis yielded comparable short-term clinical outcomes, with a similar operative time and better cosmetic outcomes, indicating its potential for clinical application and superiority for patients with high cosmetic requirements. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes.

Circulating eosinophil cell-free DNA as a noninvasive biomarker for perforated appendicitis in pediatric patients-a proof-of-concept study

Appendicitis is the most common condition necessitating emergency abdominal surgery. While most cases are localized, 20% become complicated, resulting in perforation. The management of non-complicated appendicitis varies across medical centers, encompassing both surgical and non-surgical options, whereas complicated appendicitis is predominantly managed surgically. Differentiating them is clinically challenging, especially in pediatric patients, crucial for guiding appropriate treatment strategies. Therefore, there is an unmet need for biomarkers to distinguish the two entities. Here we examined the utility of epigenetic liquid biopsies in appendicitis. We used DNA methylation markers specific to immune and gastrointestinal epithelial cells to assess the tissue origins of plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in appendicitis patients. Appendix epithelium cfDNA was undetected in plasma samples from children with appendicitis relative to control groups. In contrast, neutrophil and regulatory T-cell cfDNA were elevated in appendicitis enhancing the specificity and sensitivity of appendicitis diagnosis beyond the information provided by neutrophil counts. Notably, eosinophil cfDNA was most significantly elevated in children with perforated compared with non-perforated appendicitis. This finding was cross-validated using a machine-learning approach. In conclusion, eosinophil cfDNA levels are elevated in children with a perforated appendix and may have potential as a non-invasive aid in diagnosing perforated appendicitis in the future.

SARS-CoV-2 infection and complicated appendicitis in adults in Lima, Peru: a matched case-control study

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis may be uncomplicated or may present with life threatening complications. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of cases of complicated appendicitis, suggesting a possible association between them. Therefore, we aimed to determine the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and complicated appendicitis in surgical patients in Lima, Peru, from March 2020 to December 2021.

METHODS

A matched case-control study was conducted. Clinical records of patients ≥ 18 years old who underwent surgery for appendicitis and had at least one positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test were selected. Patients undergoing surgery for complicated appendicitis were considered cases, and patients undergoing surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis were controls. A 1:1 matching by sex, age, and month of surgery was performed. Conditional logistic regression modeling was performed to calculate crude and adjusted conditional odds ratios (cOR).

RESULTS

The positivity rate for COVID-19 tests was 73.6% for cases and 26.4% for controls. The crude cOR was 4.88 (95% IC 2.89-8.23, p < 0.001), and the adjusted cOR was 3.52 (95%IC 1.82-6.81, p = 0.001), after controlling for onset time of symptoms and awaiting time before surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for complicated appendicitis was associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with this infection may be at higher risk of complicated appendicitis and thus may need additional clinical monitoring.

Gastrointestinal Behҫet's disease mimicking appendicitis

A woman in her 40s of Chinese and African American ancestry with medical history of severe Behҫet's disease on immunosuppressive therapy presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. CT of the abdomen and pelvis suggested appendicitis. General surgery recommended bowel rest and antibiotics for treatment, considering her a high surgical risk due to her history of Behҫet's disease and immunosuppression. She again presented 2 weeks later with nausea, vomiting, worsening pain, fever, leucocytosis and elevated inflammatory markers. Colonoscopy was pursued with concern for appendicitis versus possible Behҫet's disease flare, which revealed colonic aphthous ulcers and a large caecal ulcer with associated oedema and ulceration of the appendiceal orifice, consistent with ileocaecal Behҫet's disease. Antibiotics were discontinued, and she was treated with systemic glucocorticoids with complete resolution of her presenting symptoms. Behҫet's disease may convincingly mimic appendicitis, and colonoscopy may prevent unnecessary appendectomy in patients with such a presentation.

Clinical outcomes and optimal indications for nonoperative management of acute appendicitis in adult patients: a comprehensive literature review

Appendectomy as the standard treatment for acute appendicitis has been challenged by accumulating evidence supporting nonoperative management with antibiotics as a potential primary treatment. This review aimed to summarize the clinical outcomes and the optimal indications for nonoperative management of acute appendicitis in adults. Current evidence suggests that uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis have different pathophysiologies and should be treated differently. Nonoperative management for uncomplicated appendicitis was not inferior to appendectomy in terms of complications and length of stay, with less than a 30% failure rate at 1 year. The risk of perforation and postoperative complications did not increase even if nonoperative management failed. Complicated appendicitis with localized abscess or phlegmon could also be treated conservatively, with a success rate of more than 80%. An interval appendectomy following successful nonoperative management is recommended only for patients over the age of 40 years to exclude appendiceal malignancy. The presence of appendicoliths increased the risk of treatment failure and complications; thus, it may be an indication for appendectomy. Nonoperative management is a safe and feasible option for both uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis. Patients should be informed that nonoperative management may be a safe alternative to surgery, with the possibility of treatment failure.

Identification of predictors for complicated acute appendicitis: A retrospective cohort study from a high-volume hospital

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most prevalent cause of acute abdominal pain, with an incidence rate ranging from 96.5 to 100 per 100,000 adults. The rapid and accurate identification of the type and risk level of AA continues to pose a significant challenge. We aimed to develop a model for preoperative differentiation between complicated and uncomplicated AA.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 1196 AA patients were selected. The preoperative and postoperative clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed retrospectively. Both univariate analysis and multivariate analyses were conducted using binary logistic regression to identify the predictive factor associated with complicated AA.

RESULTS

Among a total of 1196 AA patients, 465 (38.9 ​%) were identified as having complicated AA. Approximately 10 ​% of AA patients experienced postoperative complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that several factors were associated with an increased risk of complicated AA, including male (P ​< ​0.001, OR ​= ​2.178), age (P ​< ​0.001, OR ​= ​1.028), days of abdominal pain before operation ​= ​3 (P ​< ​0.001, OR ​= ​3.616), days of abdominal pain before operation ​= ​4 (P ​< ​0.001, OR ​= ​7.528), temperature (P ​< ​0.001, OR ​= ​2.121), abdominal tension (P ​< ​0.001, OR ​= ​2.242), neutrophil (P ​< ​0.001, OR ​= ​1.053), fluid accumulates around the appendix (P ​= ​0.002, OR ​= ​2.010), appendiceal fecalith (P ​< ​0.001, OR ​= ​2.122), and the diameter of the appendix (P ​= ​0.002, OR ​= ​1.083).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study significantly advance the understanding of preoperative differentiation between complicated and uncomplicated AA. The predictive nomogram offers a valuable tool for clinicians, enhancing decision-making and improving patient outcomes.

Diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound and computed tomography for acute appendicitis: A single center retrospective study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) examination for acute appendicitis (AA). A total of 41 patients with suspected AA were enrolled in this study. CT scan was performed in 24 patients, and US was performed in 17 patients. Both CT scan and US were performed in 7 patients. The primary outcomes were the performance characteristics (sensitivity, specificity) of US and CT in the patients with suspected AA. The secondary outcomes included the diagnostic accuracy of CT and US. By using US, 6 patients (35%) were incorrectly diagnosed and 2 other patients (12%) had equivocal results. By using CT as the primary diagnostic tool, 4 patients (17%) were misdiagnosed and 8 patients (33%) had equivocal results. Even if the equivocal results of CT and US were excluded from the calculation, the sensitivity and specificity of CT was 88% and 71% respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of US was 73% and 50%, respectively. Although CT and US are believed to be reliable diagnostic tool to precisely diagnose AA. The rate of negative appendectomy still remains high. There is a need to develop a more accurate methods to diagnose AA, and therefore rate of negative appendectomy can be reduced.

Safety and Efficacy of Endoscopic Retrograde Appendicitis Therapy for Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Study in Chinese Children

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) is a new and noninvasive endoscopic technique originally developed by Liu in China for the management of acute appendicitis. Although its safety and efficacy have been extensively validated in adult populations, evidence regarding its use in pediatric patients remains scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of ERAT in pediatric appendicitis.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed pediatric patients who underwent ERAT in our hospital between January 2019 and August 2022. Data collected included patient demographics, the success rate of ERAT, and the duration of hospital stay. In addition, recurrence rates were assessed during the follow-up to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of the procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 73 patients were included in this study. Appendiceal intubation was successfully performed in 72 of 73 patients (98.63%). Among these patients, 72.22% of patients had appendiceal fecal stones or food residue, and the success rate of stone removal was 94.23%. Overall, the clinical success rate of the procedure was 91.78%. The median procedure time was 22 minutes (interquartile range 15-36.5), and the median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (interquartile range 1-4). During the 1-year follow-up, 14.92% of the patients had recurrent appendicitis.

DISCUSSION

ERAT seems to be a safe and effective alternative approach to treat appendicitis in pediatric patients, especially for obstructive appendicitis with appendicolith.

A case of acute appendicitis in a patient with minimal change disease

Minimal change disease (MCD) is a common cause of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS). MCD patients are complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI). Gastrointestinal disorders also occur during the course of NS; however, acute appendicitis after the development of NS has not been reported previously in patients with MCD. We report the case of a 54-year-old Japanese man with MCD who was diagnosed with acute appendicitis after developing NS. The patient visited a nearby medical clinic with abdominal distension, decreased urine volume, and edema of the face and lower limbs. As the symptoms did not improve and he developed abdominal pain, he was referred to the Division of Gastroenterology at our hospital. Hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria were detected, and he was introduced to our division and admitted for the evaluation and treatment of NS. After admission, right lower quadrant abdominal pain and rebound tenderness occurred, and an enlarged appendix and increased fat tissue density around the appendix were observed on abdominal and pelvic computed tomography. The patient underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for suspected acute perforated appendicitis and peritonitis. Although the patient required temporary hemodialysis due to oliguric AKI, the renal function and proteinuria improved with steroid therapy. We performed a renal biopsy, which revealed MCD with acute tubular injury. Since severe gastrointestinal disorders can occur in patients with MCD, these patients should be followed-up with carefully for acute abdominal pain. The prompt management of gastrointestinal disorders is important when acute abdominal pain occurs in patients with MCD.

Analysis of Incidence and Risk Factors of Complicated Acute Appendicitis in Children: Evidence From a Tertiary Pediatric Center

Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most prevalent surgical emergency in the pediatric population, with the complicated form leading to various adverse outcomes. Our study is aimed at evaluating the incidence and associated risk factors of complicated AA among children presenting with this condition. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional design, we included all children suspected of having AA who were admitted to a tertiary pediatric center in Iran from 2020 to 2021. Pathologists examined all surgically removed appendices, and only cases with histopathological confirmation of AA were included. We classified AA into complicated and uncomplicated categories. We recorded and analyzed demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of patients admitted with AA. Analyzed laboratory parameters included white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count and percentage, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results: The study comprised 98 pediatric patients with AA, including 60 males (61.2%) and 38 females (38.8%), with a median age of 9.0 (interquartile range: 7.0-11.0) years. Eighteen (18.4%) cases were diagnosed with complicated AA. Mean WBC count, neutrophil count, and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with complicated AA (p values: 0.048, 0.018, and 0.014, respectively). After adjusting for relevant clinical factors, CRP (odds ratio: 1.02 [95% CI: 1.00-1.04]), WBC count (1.18 [1.03-1.37]), and neutrophil count (1.23 [1.06-1.45)]) were significantly associated with complicated AA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated a CRP cut-off of 19.5 mg/dL, with an area under the curve of 0.687 (95% CI: 0.551-0.823), a sensitivity of 72.2%, and a specificity of 68.4% for predicting complicated AA. Conclusions: Laboratory parameters, specifically WBC count, neutrophil count, and CRP levels, are significant independent predictors of complicated AA in pediatric patients. These findings could assist in the timely diagnosis and management of children suspected of having AA in clinical practice.

Progress in the application of machine learning in CT diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Acute appendicitis represents a prevalent condition within the spectrum of acute abdominal pathologies, exhibiting a diverse clinical presentation. Computed tomography (CT) imaging has emerged as a prospective diagnostic modality for the identification and differentiation of appendicitis. This review aims to synthesize current applications, progress, and challenges in integrating machine learning (ML) with CT for diagnosing acute appendicitis while exploring prospects. ML-driven advancements include automated detection, differential diagnosis, and severity stratification. For instance, deep learning models such as AppendiXNet achieved an AUC of 0.81 for appendicitis detection, while 3D convolutional neural networks (CNNs) demonstrated superior performance, with AUCs up to 0.95 and an accuracy of 91.5%. ML algorithms effectively differentiate appendicitis from similar conditions like diverticulitis, achieving AUCs between 0.951 and 0.972. They demonstrate remarkable proficiency in distinguishing between complex and straightforward cases through the innovative use of radiomics and hybrid models, achieving AUCs ranging from 0.80 to 0.96. Even with these advancements, challenges remain, such as the "black-box" nature of artificial intelligence, its integration into clinical workflows, and the significant resources required. Future directions emphasize interpretable models, multimodal data fusion, and cost-effective decision-support systems. By addressing these barriers, ML holds promise for refining diagnostic precision, optimizing treatment pathways, and reducing healthcare costs.

Swedish national guidelines for diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis in adults and children

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain. Differences in the management of this large group of patients has important consequences for the patients and the healthcare system. Controversies regarding the understanding of the natural course of the disease, the utility of new diagnostic methods, and alternative treatments have lead to large variations in practice patterns between centres. These national guidelines present evidence-based recommendations aiming at a uniform, safe and cost-efficient management of this large group of patients.

METHOD

A working group of six experts with broad clinical and research experience was formed. Additional expertise from outside was consulted during the process. A national survey revealed significant variations in the management of patients with suspicion of appendicitis. The evidence provided in published guidelines and reviews were extracted and systematically graded, according to the GRADE methodology. This was supplemented by additional more recent and more directed search of the literature. Patients treated for appendicitis were involved through interviews. The guidelines were reviewed by external experts before the final version was determined.

RESULTS

The guidelines cover an extensive number of issues: pathology, epidemiology, aetiology, natural history, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, diagnostic scoring systems, diagnostic imaging, treatment, nursing care, follow-up, quality registers and quality indicators, among others. Special considerations related to children and pregnant women are covered.

CONCLUSION

These national guidelines present an extensive and thorough review of the current knowledge base related to appendicitis, and provide up-to-date evidence-based recommendations for the management of this large group of patients.

Acute Appendicitis in a Pediatric Minority Population: Uncommon Presentations of a Common Disease

Introduction Acute appendicitis (AA) is universally regarded as a leading cause of emergency surgery. Both a fiber-rich diet and socioeconomic status are suggested to affect the clinical and epidemiological properties of AA. The Arab minority, the largest ethnic minority in Israel, has unique dietary habits and socioeconomic characteristics, which may influence the presentation and outcomes of AA. Despite the known seasonal patterns of AA incidence, especially during summertime, variations within specific ethnic subpopulations remain underexplored. Methods We conducted a retrospective study focused on pediatric patients from the Arab minority in Israel. Clinical data were collected and analyzed from 401 pediatric patients with a primary diagnosis of AA. The collected variables included vital signs, laboratory workups (white blood cell (WBC) counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), and neutrophil percentages), and surgical reports. The analysis aimed to identify differences between simple and complicated AA cases within this subpopulation and compare the findings with reports from both Israel and worldwide. Results A total of 401 pediatric patients from the Arab minority with AA were analyzed. Male predominance was observed, with 62.5% (n = 251) of cases being males. Despite the commonly reported summertime peak for AA, our data showed no significant seasonal variability for both simple and complicated AA. Regarding clinical presentation, both sexes had similar blood pressure and body temperature at admission; however, females exhibited higher heart rates than males. Notably, over 90% of patients presented without fever, having body temperatures below 38°C, even in complicated cases. Laboratory findings revealed differences between simple and complicated AA. In simple AA, WBC and CRP levels were mildly elevated (WBC 13.4 ± 4.5 × 10³/mm³, CRP 3.3 ± 5.4 mg/dL). In contrast, complicated AA cases showed significantly elevated heart rates, WBC, neutrophil percentages, and CRP levels. Among biomarkers, WBC <10⁴ cells/mm³ effectively ruled out complicated AA (negative predictive value (NPV) 98.7%, sensitivity 98%), while CRP >5 mg/dL had the highest specificity (81%) but lower sensitivity (54%) and limited predictive value (NPV 92%). The complicated AA rate was 12.7%, which is lower than previously reported in regional and global studies. Additionally, 18.5% (n = 74) of patients received non-operative management (NOM), a higher rate than typically reported locally. Conclusions This study highlights key clinical patterns and diagnostic insights among AA patients from a pediatric minority population. Arab children demonstrate male predominance, consistent AA rates across seasons, and are less likely to present with fever or complicated AA compared to other populations. Furthermore, WBC and CRP emerge as useful tools for ruling out complicated AA, despite their limited predictive value for confirming it. Notably, the low complicated AA rates and higher NOM rates (18.5%) may reflect unique dietary habits and healthcare accessibility patterns within this minority group. Our findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of AA presentation in diverse populations and underscore the importance of tailored clinical assessments for minority subpopulations.

Assessment of diagnostic value of ultrasound and multi-slice spiral computed tomography in acute appendicitis: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

Ultrasound and multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) are frequently used to assist the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA), and the examination results may vary among different demographics. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and CT for AA.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with AA who underwent emergency surgery at our hospital from March 2021 to August 2023, with postoperative pathological results as the gold standard. Differences in the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and CT for different types of AA, age groups, and body mass index (BMI) values were then analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall sample comprised 279 confirmed cases of AA, with 64 cases of simple appendicitis, 127 cases of suppurative appendicitis, and 88 cases of gangrenous appendicitis. For these three pathological classifications, the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was 68.75% (44/64), 73.22% (93/127), and 81.81% (72/88), respectively, while the diagnostic accuracy of CT was 71.87% (46/64), 82.67% (105/127), and 90.90% (80/88), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall diagnostic accuracy between the two methods (P > 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed no difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two methods for patients with normal BMI (P > 0.05). However, for overweight, obese, and elderly patients, CT provided significantly better diagnostic accuracy than ultrasound (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

While ultrasound and CT have similar diagnostic accuracy for different pathological types of AA, CT is more accurate for overweight, obese, and elderly patients.

A randomized double-blind noninferiority clinical multicenter trial on oral moxifloxacin versus placebo in the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: APPAC IV study protocol

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic therapy is currently considered a safe and effective treatment alternative for computed tomography (CT)-confirmed uncomplicated acute appendicitis with recent studies reporting good results on both oral antibiotics only and outpatient management. Furthermore, there are promising pilot results on uncomplicated acute appendicitis management with symptomatic treatment (placebo). This trial aims to assess whether both antibiotics and hospitalization can be safely omitted from the treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis.

METHODS

The APPAC IV (APPendicitis Acuta IV) trial is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter noninferiority clinical trial comparing oral moxifloxacin with oral placebo in an outpatient setting with a discharge directly from the emergency room (ER). Adult patients (18-60 years) with CT-confirmed uncomplicated acute appendicitis (absence of appendicolith, abscess, perforation, tumor, appendiceal diameter ⩾15 mm on CT, or body temperature >38 °C) will be enrolled in nine Finnish hospitals. Primary outcome is treatment success at 30 days, that is, the resolution of acute appendicitis resulting in discharge from the hospital without appendectomy during the 30-day follow-up evaluated using a noninferiority design with a noninferiority margin of 6 percentage points. Noninferiority will be evaluated using one-sided 95% confidence interval of proportion difference between groups. Secondary endpoints include postintervention complications, recurrent appendicitis after the 30-day follow-up, duration of hospital stay, admission to hospital and reason for admission, readmissions to emergency department or hospitalization, VAS pain scores, quality of life, sick leave, and treatment costs. The follow-up after discharge from the ER includes a phone call at day 1, and at 3-4 days, 30 days, and 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 years. Those eligible patients, who decline to undergo randomization, will be invited to participate in a concurrent observational cohort study with follow-up at 30 days, and 1 and 5 years.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, APPAC IV trial is the first large randomized, double-blind, noninferiority multicenter clinical trial aiming to compare oral antibiotics and placebo for CT-diagnosed uncomplicated acute appendicitis in an outpatient setting. The study aims to bridge the major knowledge gap on whether antibiotics and hospitalization or both can be omitted in the treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study protocol has been approved by the Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), study number: 2023-506213-21-00 and the trial has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06210269.

Surgical site infection following appendectomy in children

Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common postoperative complications after appendectomy leading to recurrent surgery, prolonged hospital stay, and the use of antibiotics. The burden of surgical site infection varies from 1.2 to 20% across the previously conducted studies. However, there are limited studies available on this problem in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess prevalence of post-appendectomy surgical site infection among children in Amhara region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was employed. The data extraction tool was used to collect data from 423 sampled participants. Simple random sampling technique was used. Data cleaned, coded and entered into Epi Data version 4.6 and exported to STATA version 14.0. The data was presented using table and text forms. The logistic regression model was fitted after checking the required assumptions through Hosmer and lemeshow test to identify predictors of post-operative complications. The bivariable analysis was done to identify associations between dependent and each independent variable. Moreover, variables with P ≤ 0.25 levels in the bivariable analysis were entered into the multivariable analysis. Adjusted odd ratio with 95% CI was used to assess the direction, strength of association and statistical significance. Any statistical test was considered significant at P-value < 0.05. A total of 406 study participants were considered for analysis. The prevalence of surgical site infection was 9.11% (95%CI; 6.67%, 12.34%). Having fever (AOR = 2.788, 95%CI (1.10, 7.05)), being taking preoperative antibiotics (AOR = 7.3, 95%CI (2.5, 21)) and having drainage following appendectomy (AOR = 6.3, 95%CI (2.7, 14.7)) were statistically significant predictors of surgical site infection following appendectomy in children. The prevalence of surgical site infection was high as compared the national target. Taking preoperative antibiotics, having fever, and having drainage after operation were significantly associated with surgical site infection. Therefore, a prospective follow up study is important. Those children with appendicitis who presented with a clinical symptom of fever, leaving drainage after procedure and timing of preoperative antibiotics requires special attention of the surgical safety team.

Phlegmonous appendicitis as a variant of uncomplicated appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of surgical acute abdomen, and its classification into uncomplicated, phlegmonous, and complicated forms is crucial for guiding treatment strategies. This study aims to compare the preoperative laboratory findings and postoperative outcomes of phlegmonous appendicitis with uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis. This retrospective cohort study included 1,441 patients who underwent appendectomy between January 2019 and March 2021 at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital. Patients were classified based on histopathological findings into four groups: normal appendix, uncomplicated appendicitis, phlegmonous appendicitis, and complicated appendicitis. Preoperative laboratory values, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. The distribution of patients was as follows: Group A (normal appendix, 7.6%), Group B (uncomplicated appendicitis, 59.8%), Group C (phlegmonous appendicitis, 17.6%), and Group D (complicated appendicitis, 15%). Phlegmonous appendicitis exhibited significantly higher leukocyte counts and appendix diameters compared to uncomplicated appendicitis but had lower CRP values than complicated appendicitis. The median hospital stay was similar for Groups A, B, and C (1 day) but significantly longer for Group D (2.1 days, p < 0,001). Complication rates were highest in Group D (24.1%) compared to the other groups. While phlegmonous appendicitis shares some clinical and laboratory characteristics with complicated appendicitis, its postoperative outcomes align more closely with those of uncomplicated appendicitis. This suggests that phlegmonous appendicitis may be more accurately classified as a variant of uncomplicated appendicitis, emphasizing the need for consistent classification to improve treatment strategies and patient outcomes.

Routine colonoscopy with a surprise in the cecum: It's a giant appendicolith! A Case report and review of the literature

Giant appendicoliths (defined as appendiceal stones larger than 2 cm in size) are rare findings, with less than 20 well-documented reported cases. Appendicoliths, in general, are linked to an increased risk of appendicitis and associated complications. However, little information is available on the clinical impact of giant appendicoliths. We present a case of a giant appendicolith accidentally discovered during screening colonoscopy. With more than 4 cm, this appendicolith is one of the largest of the few reported so far. In contrast to all other cases of giant appendicoliths, the patient did not exhibit any symptoms. Additionally, we provide an overview of giant appendicolith cases, discussing their clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.

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.

Perioperative severity of acute appendicitis during the confinement related to SARS COVID-19: a retrospective comparative cohort

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the perioperative severity of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the same periods in 2018 and 2019 in the Nancy-Metz region, France. Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency that can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns resulted in reduced hospital visits, potentially delaying treatment for appendicitis and increasing perioperative severity.

METHODS

This retrospective, bicentric cohort study included 634 adult patients who underwent emergency appendectomy at the Nancy University Hospital and Metz Regional Hospital. The study compared patients from the pandemic period (March 17, 2020, to December 14, 2020) with those from the same periods in 2018 and 2019. The primary outcome was perioperative severity, defined by a Gomes score ≥ 3 and/or a Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ 3. Secondary outcomes included time to treatment, severity of biological inflammatory syndrome, postoperative complications, and hospitalization metrics. Logistic regression analyses were performed with adjustments for ASA scores.

RESULTS

The study included 194 patients from the COVID-19 cohort and 440 from the non-COVID cohort. The perioperative severity was higher during the COVID period (33.5% vs. 25.9%), though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.0845). Secondary outcomes such as time to treatment, severity of the inflammatory syndrome, and postoperative complications did not show significant differences between cohorts. However, the duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy was longer during the COVID period (6 days vs. 5 days, p = 0.0410).

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a non-significant increase in perioperative severity of acute appendicitis. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the French healthcare system maintained effective management of surgical emergencies, with no significant increase in postoperative complications. Further research is required to explore the broader impact of the pandemic on the management of appendicitis.

Out-of-Hours Laparoscopic Appendectomy: A Risk Factor for Postoperative Complications in Acute Appendicitis?

Background: The surgical environment can influence the clinical outcomes of procedures and patient conditions. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate how surgical timing affects short-term outcomes in emergency laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Methods: A total of 647 patients with acute appendicitis who underwent emergency laparoscopic appendectomy at Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital between January 2018 and June 2021 were included in this study. The study cohort was divided into the following two groups based on the timing of surgery: work hours and out-of-hours (weekends, holidays, or weekday nights). Clinical outcomes were then compared between the groups. Results: Work-hour and out-of-hours appendectomies were performed in 282 and 365 patients, respectively. Baseline characteristics and types of appendicitis were similar between the groups (complicated appendicitis: 26.6% in the work-hours group versus 30.4% in the out-of-hours group, P = .288). Operation times were comparable (35.10 minutes versus 34.33 minutes, P = .620), with no cases requiring conversion to open appendectomy in either group. The overall rate of 30-day postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the groups (7.8% versus 10.4%, P = .849). The severity of postoperative complications, categorized by the modified Clavien-Dindo classification, did not show significant differences between the groups (P = .849). In addition, the time to functional recovery was similar in both groups. Conclusions: The clinical outcomes of out-of-hours laparoscopic appendectomy were similar to those of procedures performed during working hours. Therefore, scheduling emergency surgery can be determined based on the patient's condition and the hospital's capacity to manage acute appendicitis.

Misses and Near Misses in Paediatric Appendicitis: An Eight-Year, Single-Centre Retrospective Review

AIM

Diagnostic error can result in the appendectomy of a normal appendix, commonly known as negative appendectomy (NA). Missed appendicitis (MA) is related to a poor outcome. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are factors in presentation associated with NA or MA.

METHODS

This is a single-centre, retrospective chart review of histology-confirmed appendicitis over an eight-year period. We defined MA as appendicitis diagnosed within the week of a paediatric emergency department discharge for a similar presentation. Negative appendectomy was defined as a histologic examination of the appendix that lacked signs of inflammation.

RESULTS

A total of 845 children had appendicitis on pathologic examination. NA included 69 children, and MA 29 children. Inflammatory markers were lower for children with NA than for children with appendicitis, and children with NA were less likely to undergo CT. Almost half of the children with MA were discharged without laboratory evaluation, and almost three quarters were discharged without imaging evaluation. Half of the children with MA returned with complicated appendicitis.

CONCLUSION

Increased rates of laboratory and/or imaging evaluations in patients with abdominal pain or non-classic gastroenteritis, along with observation or early follow-up, may decrease MA. More frequent use of ultrasound and MRI may keep the NA rate to a minimum.

Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy for management of chronic fecalith appendicitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Chronic appendicitis is a condition with chronic abdominal pain or mild attacks of appendicitis, seriously affecting the patient's quality of life. Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) has emerged as a promising, non-invasive treatment for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. Here, we aim to assess the safety and efficacy of ERAT for chronic fecalith appendicitis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent ERAT for chronic fecalith appendicitis at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China between December 2017 and June 2023. Clinicopathological characteristics, procedure-related parameters, AEs, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients were included. ERAT intubation was successfully performed in all patients (100%). The median procedure time was 15 min (IQR, 12-25 min). The postoperative abdominal pain scores were significantly reduced (P < 0.0001). Short-term adverse events included 5 cases of abdominal pain (8.3%) and 2 cases of fever (3.3%). Long-term adverse events included recurrent abdominal pain in 3 cases (5.0%) and recurrent appendicitis in 2 cases (3.3%). The median time to recurrence was 5 months (IQR, 2-12 months). Logistic regression analysis revealed appendiceal stenosis (OR 25.000, 95% CI 1.114-561.281, P = 0.043) and distorted appendix lumen (OR 12.500, 95% CI 1.373-113.806, P = 0.025) as significant risk factors for long-term adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

ERAT may be a safe, effective and minimally invasive alternative approach for chronic fecalith appendicitis. Appendix lumen stenosis and distortion are risk factors of recurrence. Further large-scale prospective studies are necessary to assess the efficacy and safety of ERAT compared with antibiotic therapy and surgery.

Periappendiceal Abscess Masquerading as Pyosalpinx: A Case Report and Mini Literature Review of Acute Appendicitis Misdiagnosis

A 17-year-old patient presented to the emergency department of the General Hospital of Trikala, Greece, reporting hypogastric pain accompanied by a fever of up to 38°C. The pain, progressively increasing in intensity, had been present for about a week, with the fever onset occurring 24 hours prior. Based on clinical examination, transvaginal ultrasound, and computed tomography findings, an incorrect diagnosis of pyosalpinx was made, and intravenous treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics was initiated. However, the lack of improvement in the patient's clinical and laboratory findings after two days led to the decision to perform a laparotomy. Intraoperatively, a periappendiceal abscess was found, with a bilateral secondary extension of inflammation to the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and pelvic peritoneum. The inflamed appendix was resected from its retrocecal position, and the pelvic abscess was drained. The postoperative course was uneventful. This case report highlights an atypical presentation of acute appendicitis with abscess, which was preoperatively misdiagnosed as pyosalpinx. The main factors contributing to the misdiagnosis of acute appendicitis and the subsequent delay in medical care are discussed, emphasizing that early and accurate diagnosis is crucial in preventing adverse outcomes and ensuring effective treatment.

Risk factors for acute appendicitis among adult patients with indeterminate ultrasound

OBJECTIVES

Abdominal ultrasound is used for diagnosing appendicitis in patients with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Between 45 and 82% of radiology performed ultrasounds are indeterminate for appendicitis and computed tomography is required for diagnostic confirmation. Our study aims to determine predictors to rule out appendicitis when ultrasound is indeterminate.

METHODS

We performed a health records review of adult emergency department (ED) patients presenting with symptoms suspicious for appendicitis and indeterminate ultrasound to two academic EDs between June 2019 and July 2020. The outcome was appendicitis diagnosis within 30 days of the index ED visit. We used multivariable logistic regression, identifying a cut-off threshold for continuous variables with cubic spline, and chose the parsimonious model to develop a binary decision rule. We report Odds ratios (OR) and diagnostic performance with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Overall, 463 patients (mean age 30.3 years (SD 10.5 years), 74.9% female) were included. Appendicitis was diagnosed in 45 patients (9.7% [95% CI 7.2-12.8%]). After ultrasound, computed tomography was performed in 227 patients (49.0%) and 39 patients (17.2%) were diagnosed with appendicitis. Among the 236 patients who did not have a subsequent computed tomography, 6 (2.6%) patients had appendicitis. Neutrophil count > 5.5 × 109/L (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.12-1.30]) and secondary signs of inflammation on ultrasound (OR 2.16 [1.07-4.37]) were associated with a higher likelihood of appendicitis (C-statistic 0.77 [95% CI 0.70-0.84]). The absence of both predictors had a sensitivity of 88.9% (95% CI 76.0-96.3%), specificity of 45.7% (95% CI 40.8-50.6%) and a negative predictive value of 0.97 (95% CI 0.94-0.99) to rule out appendicitis.

CONCLUSION

For patients suspected of appendicitis and indeterminate ultrasound, the absence of an elevated neutrophil count and secondary signs of inflammation are associated with a low probability of appendicitis.

Predictive Factors of Acute Appendicitis and Its Outcomes Among the Pediatric Age Group

Background Acute appendicitis in preschool children remains a diagnostic challenge despite advanced imaging techniques' widespread availability. The majority of these children come late, often with complications such as appendicular perforation, abscess development, and peritonitis. As a consequence, hospital stays are lengthy and linked with an increase in morbidity and mortality. In this research, we aim to predict the factors of acute appendicitis and its outcomes among the pediatric age group. Methods We conducted a retrospective study at the Maternity and Children's Hospital, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, from 2022 to 2023 by reviewing the medical records of pediatric patients younger than 14 years admitted to the ER with acute appendicitis. We divided the patients into either complicated or simple appendicitis. We compared the two groups in terms of baseline characteristics, symptoms, and signs by using the Pediatric Appendicitis Score, duration of symptoms, and length of hospital stay as factors, and we assessed the significant predictive factors for the diagnosis of the type of appendicitis and length of hospital stay. Results During the study period, 246 children with a mean age of 10.1 ± 2.2 years and a male predominance of 171 (69.5%) presented with appendicitis. Simple appendicitis affected half of the participants (137, 55.7%) compared to complicated (76, 30.9%). Thirty-three children (13.4%) had a normal appendix. Complex appendicitis affected 76 (30.9%) of cases. Of those who received conservative treatment, 105 (42.7%) had a failure rate of 32 (30.5%). The mean hospital stay was 5.5 ± 4.0 days. Children under five years with complicated appendicitis had high appendicitis scores (p = < 0.05). Conclusion The predictive factors for pediatric appendicitis diagnosis are helpful in identifying those children who require intervention. However, the most crucial diagnostic instruments for determining the diagnosis of appendicitis in children are still the clinical signs and a physical abdominal examination.

Acute appendicitis due to appendiceal endometriosis: Two case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Appendiceal endometriosis (AE) is a rare condition, with a prevalence ranging from 0.05 % to 1.7 % in patients with endometriosis. It represents <1 % of cases of acute appendicitis (AA).

CASES PRESENTATION

We present two cases of AA where the histological cause was endometriosis. Both cases involved patients around 40 years old who presented with abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa. AA was diagnosed through abdominal computed tomography (CT), which in the first case showed acute appendicitis, successfully treated with laparoscopic appendectomy. In the second case, the CT showed signs of an appendiceal phlegmon, initially treated non-operatively with poor response, leading to exploratory laparoscopy and abscess drainage 48 h later. Subsequently, a scheduled laparoscopic appendectomy was performed after 6 months. Histopathological diagnosis in both cases was AA due to AE with endometrial glands showing recent bleeding, causing hyperplasia of the appendiceal muscular layer.

DISCUSSION

Endometriosis, characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, can rarely affect the appendix, termed AE. AE, though uncommon, poses diagnostic challenges due to nonspecific imaging findings and variable presentations, ranging from asymptomatic cases to AA. Histological evaluation post-appendectomy is definitive for diagnosis. AE is associated with right-sided pelvic involvement and often requires surgical management, with appendectomy typically resolving acute symptoms. However, recurrence of cyclical pain due to pelvic endometriosis may persist, underscoring the importance of comprehensive evaluation during laparoscopic procedures.

CONCLUSION

AA caused by AE is an uncommon condition, with very difficult preoperative diagnosis based solely on personal history, clinical presentation, and even imaging studies. It should be considered in differential diagnoses for women of reproductive age with associated pelvic endometriosis, although the recommended treatment in all cases is surgical.

Management of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: a protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

While multiple studies have shown the safety and efficacy of non-operative management, appendectomy remains the standard treatment for uncomplicated acute appendicitis (UAA). This study presents a protocol for a meta-analysis comparing antibiotic therapy, endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) and appendectomy in patients with UAA.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will conduct a systematic search of several databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and the Cochrane Library. The search will cover the full range of database records up to September 2024. Eligible studies will include randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of antibiotic therapy, ERAT and appendectomy for UAA. The primary outcome will be treatment success, while secondary outcomes will include major complications, hospital costs, length of stay and recurrence of appendicitis. Two independent reviewers will select studies, extract data and assess bias risk. A Bayesian approach will be used for the network meta-analysis.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required as the study will use data from published RCTs. The findings will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42024554427.

Should an Interval Appendicectomy Be Performed by a Minimally Invasive Gynaecologist?

Objective

We aimed to explore the abnormal pathology findings in appendix specimens removed based on intraoperative abnormal appearance during elective surgery for benign gynaecological conditions by a minimally invasive gynaecologist, as well as the associated complication rate.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary referral surgical centre for benign gynaecological conditions between the years 2004-2023. It included patients who underwent appendicectomy by a trained minimally invasive gynaecologist based on observations during surgery for benign gynaecological conditions. Data included demographic, clinical, surgical and pathological information followed by postoperative complication data obtained from electronic medical records and direct communication with surgical colleagues. The primary outcome was the evaluation of the abnormal pathological findings in the appendix. The secondary outcome was the complication rate associated with appendicectomy in these cases.

Results

The study cohort included 34 women who met inclusion criteria and underwent a laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain or a benign ovarian mass. Indications for appendicectomy included twelve cases (38.2%) with apparent appendiceal immobility (stiffness), fourteen cases (41.2%) with an appendix adherent to ovaries or the pelvic side walls, and seven cases (20.6%) with an abnormal appearance (large, wide, long, coiled, or curved). Pathological findings revealed six cases (17.6%) of acute or chronic appendicitis, four cases (11.8%) of endometriosis, five cases (14.7%) of abnormal pathological conditions, and three cases (8.8%) of cancer (two cases of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and one case of low-grade appendiceal mucinous cystadenoma). Postoperative complication rate was 5.8% (two cases).

Conclusion

This study supports incorporating appendicectomy by trained gynaecological specialists during gynaecological elective surgery when abnormal findings are encountered. Further research and guidelines in this area can provide even greater clarity and direction for the future of gynaecological surgical practice.

Machine-learning based prediction of appendicitis for patients presenting with acute abdominal pain at the emergency department

BACKGROUND

Acute abdominal pain (AAP) constitutes 5-10% of all emergency department (ED) visits, with appendicitis being a prevalent AAP etiology often necessitating surgical intervention. The variability in AAP symptoms and causes, combined with the challenge of identifying appendicitis, complicate timely intervention. To estimate the risk of appendicitis, scoring systems such as the Alvarado score have been developed. However, diagnostic errors and delays remain common. Although various machine learning (ML) models have been proposed to enhance appendicitis detection, none have been seamlessly integrated into the ED workflows for AAP or are specifically designed to diagnose appendicitis as early as possible within the clinical decision-making process. To mimic daily clinical practice, this proof-of-concept study aims to develop ML models that support decision-making using comprehensive clinical data up to key decision points in the ED workflow to detect appendicitis in patients presenting with AAP.

METHODS

Data from the Dutch triage system at the ED, vital signs, complete medical history and physical examination findings and routine laboratory test results were retrospectively extracted from 350 AAP patients presenting to the ED of a Dutch teaching hospital from 2016 to 2023. Two eXtreme Gradient Boosting ML models were developed to differentiate cases with appendicitis from other AAP causes: one model used all data up to and including physical examination, and the other was extended with routine laboratory test results. The performance of both models was evaluated on a validation set (n = 68) and compared to the Alvarado scoring system as well as three ED physicians in a reader study.

RESULTS

The ML models achieved AUROCs of 0.919 without laboratory test results and 0.923 with the addition of laboratory test results. The Alvarado scoring system attained an AUROC of 0.824. ED physicians achieved AUROCs of 0.894, 0.826, and 0.791 without laboratory test results, increasing to AUROCs of 0.923, 0.892, and 0.859 with laboratory test results.

CONCLUSIONS

Both ML models demonstrated comparable high accuracy in predicting appendicitis in patients with AAP, outperforming the Alvarado scoring system. The ML models matched or surpassed ED physician performance in detecting appendicitis, with the largest potential performance gain observed in absence of laboratory test results. Integration could assist ED physicians in early and accurate diagnosis of appendicitis.

Time to improve the management of patients with suspected acute appendicitis: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

Preoperative imaging is now recommended in patients with suspected acute appendicitis (AA) by the World Society of Emergency Surgery. Our aims were (i) to describe our local practice and (ii) to evaluate the efficiency of performing ultrasound (US) and/or computed tomography (CT) by assessing management failure, specificity and sensitivity, and length of stay in the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study included all patients who underwent US or CT for the management of suspected AA. Patients were included if they were admitted to the ED in February or June between 2012 and 2021.

RESULTS

The study included 339 patients. US was performed in 278 patients (82%), of whom 91 also had a second-line CT (31.3%). There was a significant increase in the rate of CT over the inclusion period. Three percent (3%) of the patients had management failure and a higher age and CT or US + CT were significantly associated with the risk of management failure. Length of stay in the ED increased significantly when a second-line CT was performed. The sensitivity and specificity of US were 84.8% and 93.2%, respectively. Sensitivity was significantly different from CT (100%, p = 0.03) but not specificity (87.9%, p = 0.29). Both US and CT results were more likely to be considered for further management if positive. The vast majority of patients with negative or inconclusive results were admitted in surgical wards or underwent a second-line examination.

CONCLUSION

If available in the hospital together with CT, US should probably be performed systematically and as a first-line examination in patients with suspected acute appendicitis.

Barriers to accessing appendectomy in the public sector health system in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

Background

Appendectomy is the surgical treatment for acute appendicitis and barriers to timely care can lead to morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, patients experience delays during the stages of seeking, reaching, and receiving care. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of barriers to accessing appendectomy among patients, caregivers, and surgeons employed at selected public hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Study sites comprised four public hospitals. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and translated verbatim. Excerpts in the qualitative data were systematically categorised and themes were generated using inductive thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke's methodology.

Findings

The following themes were generated from the analysis 1) barriers related to late presentation to a healthcare facility and 2) barriers related to healthcare facility delays. Identified barriers were perceptions of appendicitis-like symptoms, the influence of beliefs, customs and culture on healthcare-seeking behaviour, personal and social positions and values, lack of knowledge of the health system, transport accessibility and affordability, delayed ambulance response time, and proximity of healthcare facilities. Key barriers experienced after presentation to a healthcare facility related to inter-facility transfers, surgical capacity, and the diagnostic and management capabilities of facilities.

Conclusion

Participants in the study experienced, and perceived similar delays to accessing appendectomy to that reported in other African countries. Improved health literacy in communities could lead to timely healthcare-seeking behaviour for appendicitis and other emergency conditions. Efforts are needed to ensure access to affordable and available transport options, and healthcare facilities need to be better equipped to diagnose and treat appendicitis. This can be achieved through upskilling and augmenting human and other resources, which will require the support of the government and other relevant stakeholders.

Percentage of Neutrophils and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Distinguishing Late from Early Prehospital Presentation of Perforated Appendicitis in Children

INTRODUCTION

White blood cell subtypes are commonly used to diagnose paediatric cases of perforated appendicitis (PA). In this study, an attempt was made to examine changes in white blood cell subtypes based on the duration of symptoms before hospitalization. Authors believe that findings will be able to describe cases of PA with delayed presentation, more accurately.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 139 children with diagnosis of PA admitted between 2020 and 2023. Children were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 95), with early prehospital presentation of PA (symptoms before hospitalization lasting less than 48 hours), and Group II (n = 44), with late prehospital presentation of PA (symptoms before hospitalization lasting more than 48 hours). Medical documentation and data referring to the clinical features and laboratory markers were gathered and compared between groups.

RESULTS

Delayed prehospital presentation of PA had 31.65% of patients. White blood cell counts, neutrophil percentages and absolute counts, and the ratios of neutrophils to lymphocytes (ANC/ALC) and neutrophils to monocytes (ANC/AMC) were all lower in Group II. Furthermore, Group II had notably greater levels of C-reactive protein and higher percentages of lymphocytes and monocytes. The percentage of neutrophils and cutoff value was 78.95%, whereas the ANC/ALC ratio cutoff was 6.58. The percentage of neutrophils had a sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% and 62.8%, respectively, while ANC/ALC had a sensitivity and specificity of 81.3% and 51.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio can help distinguish between the late and early prehospital presentation of PA in children and may improve the accuracy of prehospital diagnosis. Less than 78.95% and 6.58, percentage of neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, respectively, are indicative in late prehospital presentation of paediatric PA.

A Low Prognostic Nutritional Index Level, an Independent Predictor for Postoperative Intra-abdominal Abscess After Laparoscopic Appendectomy

BACKGROUND

Intra-abdominal abscess (IAA) is a very common postoperative complication after laparoscopic appendectomy and is associated with poor prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy from 2015 to 2024, examining demographic, clinical, and laboratory data to identify IAA risk factors. Independent risk factors for IAA were screened and finally identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 37 patients developed IAA within postoperative 30 days, with an incidence of 9.6% (37/385). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated white blood cell (cut-off value: 13.35, sensitivity: 54.60%, specificity: 70.27%, P =0.003) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) (cut-off value: 41.95, sensitivity: 72.41%, specificity: 59.46%, P <0.0001) were 2 predictors for IAA with an area under the curve of 0.649 and 0.727, respectively. Based on the multivariate analysis, perforated appendicitis (odds ratio: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.15-5.32, P =0.021) and a lower PNI score (odds ratio: 3.44, 95% CI: 1.49-7.58, P =0.002) were 2 independent risk factors for IAA in elderly patients after laparoscopic appendectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with perforated appendicitis and a PNI score <41.95 have higher risks for IAA after laparoscopic appendectomy.

Use of the vertebrae and iliac bone as references for localizing the appendix vermiformis in computed tomography

BACKGROUND

The appendix vermiformis is a part of the gastrointestinal tract, situated in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. Acute appendicitis, acute inflammation of the appendix vermiformis, is the most common cause of acute abdomen requiring surgical intervention. Although computed tomography (CT) offers high diagnostic efficacy in assessing the appendix across various anatomical positions, it also involves radiation exposure. Reducing exposure factors and narrowing the field of view (FOV) are ways to decrease the radiation dose to the patient. To narrow the FOV, appendix locations within the population must be defined using metric markers.

AIM

To determine the location of the appendix vermiformis on CT using the vertebrae and the right iliac bone as anatomical landmarks.

METHODS

This retrospective study examined 470 patients presenting with abdominal pain who underwent abdominal CT scans between January 01, 2015 and January 01, 2018. Forty-three patients were excluded due to various reasons. The most superior and inferior points and the origin of the appendix were measured separately in relation to the vertebrae and right iliac bone for localization. The population was divided into normal and acute appendicitis groups, and the relationship between appendix location and anthropometric parameters relationship was examined. P values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 427 adult patients (206 females and 221 males) with a mean age of 42.1 ± 19.5 years. An ascending appendix course was the most common (90.4%). The appendix ranged from the L2 vertebral body level to the coccygeal vertebral level relative to the vertebrae. The appendix ranged between (-) 140.5 mm and (+) 87.4 mm relative to the right iliac bone. A negative correlation was found between patient age, height, body mass index, and the highest and lowest points of the appendix in regard to the vertebrae.

CONCLUSION

The study's findings unveiled the locations of the appendix in the population in relation to the bony anatomical landmarks. These data can be used as the basis for future research aimed at reducing patient exposure to ionizing radiation.

Clinical significance of appendicoliths in elderly patients over eighty years old undergoing emergency appendectomy: A single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis with an appendicolith is one of the most common abdominal emergencies in elderly patients and is more likely to progress to gangrene and perforation.

AIM

To analyze the clinical data of elderly patients undergoing emergency appendectomy for acute appendicitis, aiming to improve treatment strategies.

METHODS

The clinical data of 122 patients over 80 years old who underwent emergency appendectomy for acute appendicitis at the Department of Emergency Surgery of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2016 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of an appendicolith or not, and clinicopathological and surgery-related features were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The duration of abdominal pain in all 122 patients ranged from 5 to 168 h. All patients underwent emergency appendectomy: 6 had an open appendectomy, 101 had a laparoscopic appendectomy, and 15 required conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery, resulting in a conversion rate of 12.9% (15/116). The patients were divided into two groups: Appendicolith group (n = 46) and non-appendicolith group (n = 76). Comparisons of clinicopathological features revealed that patients with appendicoliths were more likely to develop appendiceal gangrene (84.8% vs 64.5%, P = 0.010) and perforation (67.4% vs 48.7%, P = 0.044), and had a lower surgical conversion rate (2.2% vs 19.7%, P = 0.013). The median length of hospital stay was 5.0 d for both groups and there was no significant difference between them. All patients were successfully discharged.

CONCLUSION

Around 40% of patients over 80 years old with acute appendicitis have an appendicolith, increasing their risk of developing appendiceal gangrene and perforation, and therefore should receive timely surgical treatment.

Influence of sarcopenia and frailty in the management of elderly patients with acute appendicitis

In developed countries, the average life expectancy has been increasing and is now well over 80 years. Increased life expectancy is associated with an increased number of emergency surgical procedures performed in later age groups. Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical diseases, with a lifetime risk of 8%. A growing incidence of acute appendicitis has been registered in the elderly population and in the oldest groups (> 80 years). Among patients > 50-year-old who present to the emergency department for acute abdominal pain, 15% have acute appendicitis. In these patients, emergency surgery for acute appendicitis is challenging, and some important aspects must be considered. In the elderly, surgical treatment outcomes are influenced by sarcopenia. Sarcopenia must be considered a precursor of frailty, a risk factor for physical function decline. Sarcopenia has a negative impact on both elective and emergency surgery regarding mortality and morbidity. Aside from morbidity and mortality, the most crucial outcomes for older patients requiring emergency surgery are reduction in function decline and preoperative physical function maintenance. Therefore, prediction of function decline is critical. In emergency surgery, preoperative interventions are difficult to implement because of the narrow time window before surgery. In this editorial, we highlight the unique aspects of acute appendicitis in elderly patients and the influence of sarcopenia and frailty on the results of surgical treatment.

Single-incision versus conventional multi-incision laparoscopic appendicectomy for suspected uncomplicated appendicitis

BACKGROUND

Appendicectomy is a well-established surgical procedure to manage acute appendicitis. The operation was historically performed as an open procedure and is currently performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques. A recent development in appendicectomy technique is the introduction of single-incision laparoscopic surgery. This incorporates all working ports (either one multi-luminal port or multiple mono-luminal ports) through a single skin incision; the procedure is known as single-incision laparoscopic appendicectomy or SILA. Unanswered questions remain regarding the efficacy of this novel technique, including its effects on patient benefit and satisfaction, complications, and long-term outcomes, when compared to multi-incision conventional laparoscopy (CLA). This is an update of a review published in 2011.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of single-incision laparoscopic appendicectomy compared with multi-incision laparoscopic appendicectomy, on benefits, complications, and short-term outcomes, in patients with acute appendicitis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (CENTRAL, the Cochrane Library 2018 Issue 2), Ovid MEDLINE (1983 to January 2024), Ovid Embase (1983 to January 2024), the WHO International Clinical Trial Register (January 2024), and Clinicaltrials.gov (January 2024). We also searched reference lists of relevant articles and reviews, conference proceedings, and ongoing trial databases. The searches were carried out on 20 January 2024.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the single-incision procedure SILA against CLA for patients (male and female) over the age of 10 years, diagnosed with appendicitis, or symptoms of appendicitis, and undergoing laparoscopic appendicectomy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data into a standardised form, and assessed the risk of bias in the studies. We extracted data relevant to the predetermined outcome measures. Where appropriate, we calculated a summary statistic: odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous data and mean difference (MD) with 95% CI for continuous data. We used Review Manager Web for our statistical analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

This review was first published in 2011, when there was no RCT evidence available. For this update, we identified 11 RCTs involving 1373 participants (689 in the SILA groups and 684 in the CLA groups). The participants were similar at baseline in terms of age (mean 31.7 (SILA) versus 30.9 years (CLA)) and sex (female: 53.0% (SILA) versus 50.3% (CLA)). Diagnosis of appendicitis was based on clinical assessment; none of the studies used a diagnosis confirmed by imaging as part of their inclusion criteria. The certainty of the evidence was low to moderate, and the outcomes were predominately reported in the short term. Pain scores at 24 hours after surgery may be similar between the SILA and CLA groups (mean score SILA 2.53 versus CLA 2.65; mean difference (MD) in pain score -0.12, 95% CI -0.52 to 0.28; 294 participants, 4 RCTs; low-certainty evidence). SILA probably had superior cosmetic results as indicated by patients using the Body Image questionnaire (5 to 20) (mean score SILA 14.9 versus CLA 12.4; cosmesis score MD 1.97, 95% CI 1.60 to 2.33; 266 participants, 3 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence). The rate of visceral and vascular injury was probably similar with both techniques (SILA 0/168 versus 4/169; OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.79; 337 participants, 3 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence). The conversion rate to CLA or open surgery may be higher for SILA procedures than the conversion rate from CLA to open surgery (SILA 32/574 versus CLA 7/569; OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.36 to 6.42; 1143 participants, 9 RCTs; low-certainty evidence). Use of an additional port site was probably more likely with SILA compared to CLA (SILA 28/328 versus CLA 4/336; OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.13 to 12.72; 664 participants, 5 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence). The recovery time was probably similar for both interventions for hospital stay (mean length of stay in hospital for SILA 2.25 days versus 2.29 days for CLA patients; MD -0.13, 95% CI -0.23 to 0.03; 1241 participants, 10 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence) and time to return to normal activities (SILA 9.28 days versus CLA 10.0 days; MD -0.59, 95% CI -1.99 to 0.81; 451 participants, 4 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence). We have low-to-moderate confidence in our findings due to differences in the measurement of certain outcomes, and lack of blinding in the studies, which makes them prone to performance bias.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is low-to-moderate certainty evidence that single-incision laparoscopic appendicectomy is comparable to conventional laparoscopic appendicectomy in terms of complications, length of hospital stay, return to normal activities, and postoperative pain in the first 24 hours. The disadvantage of SILA may be a higher conversion rate, but SILA is probably associated with better patient cosmetic satisfaction.

Clinical significance of appendicoliths in conservative treatment of acute complicated appendicitis patients with peri-appendiceal abscess: a single-center retrospective study

Background

This study aimed to analyze the clinical data of patients who received conservative treatment for acute complicated appendicitis with peri-appendiceal abscess, identify factors influencing the success rate, and improve treatment strategies.

Methods

The clinical data of acute complicated appendicitis patients with peri-appendiceal abscess who received conservative treatment at the Department of Emergency Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, from January 2016 to March 2023, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

A total of 80 patients were included in our study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the outcomes of ultrasound-guided drainage: The Drainage group (n=28) and the Antibiotic group (n=52). The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable. In the Antibiotic group, the surgery rate was 30.4% for patients with an appendicolith and 6.9% for those without. In the Drainage group, the surgery rate was 33.3% for patients with an appendicolith and 27.3% for those without. The presence of an appendicolith significantly correlated with the need for surgery in the Antibiotic group (P=0.026), but not in the Drainage group (P=0.771). For patients who underwent surgery, the incidence of surgical site infections did not differ significantly (P=0.656), and the median length of postoperative hospital stay was similar between the groups (4.0 days vs. 3.0 days, P=0.337).

Conclusion

The presence of an appendicolith is a risk factor for the failure of antibiotic therapy alone in acute complicated appendicitis patients with peri-appendiceal abscess. However, it does not affect the surgical rate in those who underwent successful drainage.

Does the Experience Level of Surgeons and Assistants Influence the Rate of Complications Following Appendicectomy?

Background Appendicectomies are the most frequently performed acute general surgery. The risk of complications depends on several factors, including patient age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), duration of symptoms, serum inflammatory markers, and the grade of inflammation. Prior research failed to demonstrate a relationship between the rate of complications and the surgeon's level of experience. It is unclear if the assistant's level of experience influences complication rates. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the relationship between the surgeon's and assistant's position and the rate of complications following appendicectomy. We also explored whether more experienced staff were involved in higher-risk cases and their relationship with resource utilization. Results There was no significant difference in total complication rates based on the surgeon's and assistant's position (p = 0.48 and p = 0.99, respectively). Post-operative bleeding was the only complication that correlated with the assistant's level of experience (p = 0.002). More experienced surgeons performed faster appendicectomies (p =0.002), while the assistant's position had no influence (p = 0.47). There was no statistically significant relationship between the surgeon's and assistant's position, and post-operative length of admission, or risk factors for complications as measured by age, days of abdominal pain, white blood cell count (WCC), C-reactive protein (CRP), ASA, radiographic and intra-operative American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). Conclusion Experienced surgeons performed faster appendicectomies. There was a trend toward higher rates of post-operative bleeding with less experienced assistants. Otherwise, there was no relationship between the surgeon's experience level and post-appendicectomy complication rates, length of post-operative stay, or patient risk factors for complications.

The Variable Definition of "Negative Appendicitis" Remains a Surgical Challenge

AIM

Acute appendicitis (AA) is treated primarily surgically with histopathology being the gold standard for confirmation of appendicitis and reported rates of negative appendicectomies (NA) ranging between 3.2% and 19% worldwide and 15.9-20.6% in the UK. NA rates are frequently used to identify poor performing centers as part of a Model Health System and form an integral part of appendicitis scoring systems. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of negative appendicectomies within our institution and critically analyze the appropriateness of its use as a quality metric and its impact on clinical practice and research.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data analysis from a prospective dataset of pediatric appendicitis patients between 2015 and 2021 in a tertiary center in the UK was performed. Detailed analysis of negative appendicectomies was performed and further stratified by two distinct age and gender groups looking at the incidence of NA and the classification of non-histologically normal appendix specimens.

RESULTS

In our series, 819 patients met inclusion criteria, 736 (89.9%) had acute appendicitis. Our overall institutional negative appendicectomy rate was 10.1% (83 patients) with the breakdown as follows: 65 histologically normal appendix (7.9%), 10 Enterobius vermicularis, 3 eosinophilic appendicitis, 2 neoplasms, 1 isolated faecolith, 1 fibrous obliteration of the lumen, and 1 peri-appendiceal inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Our negative appendicectomy rate is below established UK pediatric NA rates. This rate ranges from 7.9% to 10.1% depending on the definition of NA utilized. A single standard pathological definition for histological acute appendicitis is required when being used as a comparative quality metric. Centers engaged in clinical research should be aware of variations in NA definitions both in scoring systems and individual centers to avoid skewing derived results.

Anticipating Urgency: Predictive Factors for Early Intervention in Appendicular Perforation

BACKGROUND

Appendicular perforation is a severe complication of acute appendicitis, leading to increased morbidity and complex post-surgical outcomes. Early identification of patients at risk of perforation is crucial to improve clinical management and reduce complications. This study aims to review and summarize the predictive value of clinical, biochemical, and radiological factors in determining the likelihood of appendicular perforation.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to analyze key clinical, biochemical, and radiological markers associated with appendicular perforation. Clinical factors such as symptom duration, fever, and physical signs of peritonitis were examined. Biochemical markers, including white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin, and serum creatinine, were evaluated for their diagnostic accuracy. Radiological imaging techniques, such as ultrasound (US), were assessed for their ability to detect perforation-related complications.

RESULTS

 This study identifies key predictors of appendicular perforation, including age, pulse rate, abdominal rigidity, and peri-appendiceal collection. Peri-appendiceal collection emerged as a strong predictor (OR=7.09). Logistic regression and machine learning models showed moderate predictive power (AUC 0.54-0.58), with demographic trends influencing clinical outcomes.

Study of pediatric appendicitis scores and management strategies: A prospective observational feasibility study

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to investigate the feasibility of prospectively validating multiple clinical prediction scores (CPSs) for pediatric appendicitis in an Australian pediatric emergency department (ED).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted to identify potential CPSs and a single-center prospective observational feasibility study was performed between November 2022 and May 2023 to evaluate the performance of identified CPSs. Children 5-15 years presenting with acute right-sided or generalized abdominal pain and clinician suspicion of appendicitis were included. CPSs were calculated by the study team from prospectively clinician-collected data and/or review of medical records. Accuracy of CPSs were assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and proportions correctly identifiable as either low-risk or high-risk with the best performing CPS compared to clinician gestalt. Final diagnosis of appendicitis was confirmed on histopathology or by telephone/email follow-up for those discharged directly from ED.

RESULTS

Thirty CPSs were identified in the literature search and 481 patients were enrolled in the study. A total of 150 (31.2%) patients underwent appendectomy with three (2.0%) having a normal appendix on histopathology. All identified CPSs were calculable for at least 50% of the patient cohort. The pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator for pediatric EDs (pARC-ED; n = 317) was the best performing CPS with AUC 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-0.94) and specificity 99.0% (95% CI 96.4%-99.7%) in diagnosing high-risk cases and a misclassification rate of 4.5% for low-risk cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified 30 CPSs that could be validated in a majority of patients to compare their ability to assess risk of pediatric appendicitis. The pARC-ED had the highest predictive accuracy and can potentially assist in risk stratification of children with suspected appendicitis in pediatric EDs. A multicenter study is now under way to evaluate the potential of these CPSs in a broader range of EDs to aid clinical decision making in more varied settings.

Acute Appendicitis After COVID-19 Vaccines in Italy: A Self-Controlled Case Series Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cases of appendicitis were identified in the pivotal randomized clinical trial on BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine and reported from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine pharmacovigilance systems. Three cohort studies and two self-controlled case series (SCCS) studies evaluating the association between mRNA vaccines and appendicitis reported discordant results. To address this uncertainty, the present study examines in a large population, with a SCCS design, the association between mRNA (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) and, for the first time, viral vector (ChAdOx1-S and Ad26.COV2-S) COVID-19 vaccines and acute appendicitis.

METHODS

The SCCS study design was used to evaluate the association between COVID-19 vaccination and subsequent onset of acute appendicitis. The study was based on record linkage of health archives through TheShinISS application, a statistical tool that locally processes data from regional health care databases according to ad hoc, study-tailored and common data model. The study population included all vaccinated subjects ≥ 12 years old between 27 December 2020 and 30 September 2021. The acute appendicitis was identified through discharge diagnoses of hospital admissions or emergency department visits. Incident cases were defined as those who experienced a first event of acute appendicitis in the study period, excluding subjects with a diagnosis of appendicitis in the previous 5 years. Exposure was defined as the first or second dose of BNT162b2, mRNA-1273 and ChAdOx1-S and the single dose of Ad26.COV2-S. The risk interval was defined as 42 days from the first or second vaccination dose and divided into pre-specified risk subperiods; the reference period was the observation time outside the risk interval. Relative incidences (RI) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated with the SCCS method 'modified for event-dependent exposures', through unbiased estimating equations. The seasonal component was considered as a time-dependent covariate.

RESULTS

In the 42-day risk interval 1285 incident cases of acute appendicitis occurred: 727 cases after the first dose and 558 cases after the second dose. In the main analysis, no increased risks of acute appendicitis were observed in subjects vaccinated with BNT162b, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1-S and Ad26.COV2-S. The subgroup analyses by sex showed an increased risk in the 14-27 day risk interval, in males after the first dose of mRNA-1273 (RI of 1.71; 95% CI 1.08-2.70, p = 0.02) and in females after the single dose of Ad26.COV2-S (RI of 4.40; 95% CI 1.29-15.01, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no evidence of association of BNT162b, ChAdOx1-S, mRNA-1273 and Ad26.COV2-S with acute appendicitis in the general population. The results of the subgroup analyses by sex needs to be considered with caution. The multiplicity issue cannot be excluded being these hypotheses two of several hypotheses tested. In addition, relevant literature on the biological mechanism of the disease and evidence of similar effects with other vaccines or with the same vaccines are still lacking to provide strong support for a conclusion that there is an harmful effect in males and females with mRNA-1273 and Ad26.COV2-S.

Modified technical protocol for single-port laparoscopic appendectomy using needle-type grasping forceps for acute simple appendicitis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Because of the mild inflammatory status in acute uncomplicated appendicitis, our team developed a novel technical protocol for single-port laparoscopic appendectomy using needle-type grasping forceps (SLAN) and achieved positive clinical outcomes. However, the intraoperative procedure lacked stability and fluency due to a series of problems highlighted by the small incision design of the protocol (only 1 cm long). Therefore, there is a growing clinical demand to further optimize the SLAN protocol.

CASE SUMMARY

An adult male patient was admitted for persistent right lower abdominal pain with preoperative computed tomography findings suggestive of appendicitis accompanied by localized peritonitis. A modified technical protocol for SLAN based on minimally invasive surgical principles was used, and the patient was confirmed to have acute simple appendicitis by postoperative pathological analysis. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and no postoperative complications, such as incision infection or severe incision pain, were observed. The patient was discharged successfully on postoperative day 2.

CONCLUSION

The modified technical protocol of SLAN may be a new minimally invasive surgical alternative for patients with acute simple appendicitis.

Clinical significance of peri-appendiceal abscess and phlegmon in acute complicated appendicitis patients undergoing emergency appendectomy

BACKGROUND

Although antibiotic therapy has become the primary treatment for acute uncomplicated appendicitis, the management of acute complicated appendicitis necessitates careful consideration of various treatment options.

AIM

To analyze the clinical data of patients who underwent emergency appendectomy for acute complicated appendicitis with peri-appendiceal abscess or phlegmon, identify factors influencing the postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS), and improve treatment strategies.

METHODS

The clinical data of acute complicated appendicitis patients with peri-appendiceal abscess or phlegmon who underwent emergency appendectomy at The Department of Emergency Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2016 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 234 patients were included in our study. The duration of symptoms and the presence of an appendicolith were significantly correlated with the occurrence of peri-appendiceal abscess in patients with acute complicated appendicitis (P < 0.001 and P = 0.015, respectively). Patients with symptoms lasting longer than 72 h had a significantly longer postoperative LOS compared to those with symptoms lasting 72 h or less [hazard ratio (HR), 1.208; 95%CI: 1.107-1.319; P < 0.001]. Additionally, patients with peri-appendiceal abscesses had a significantly longer postoperative LOS compared to those with phlegmon (HR, 1.217; 95%CI: 1.095-1.352; P < 0.001). The patients with peri-appendiceal abscesses were divided into two groups based on the median size of the abscess: Those with abscesses smaller than 5.0 cm (n = 69) and those with abscesses 5.0 cm or larger (n = 82). Patients with peri-appendiceal abscesses measuring 5.0 cm or larger had a significantly longer postoperative LOS than those with abscesses smaller than 5.0 cm (P = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

The duration of symptoms and the presence of an appendicolith are significant risk factors for the formation of peri-appendiceal abscesses in patients with acute complicated appendicitis. Patients with peri-appendiceal abscesses experience a significantly longer postoperative LOS compared to those with peri-appendiceal phlegmon.