Conservative antibiotic treatment of pediatric acute uncomplicated appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective comparative cohort study
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In brief
In brief
This prospective study compared antibiotic treatment versus laparoscopic appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis in 139 children during COVID-19. While 24% experienced recurrence within 16 months, antibiotic therapy proved safe and significantly more cost-effective ($3589 vs $6209 per patient) with comparable complication rates.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Background
Our study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and cost-efficiency of antibiotic management versus laparoscopic appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA) in children during the COVID-19 pandemic when resources were limited and transmission risks uncertain.
Method
In this prospective comparative cohort study, we analyzed the data of 139 children diagnosed with AUA meeting the following inclusion criteria: 5–18 years of age, symptoms duration of ≤ 48 h, appendix diameter ≤ 11 mm and no appendicolith. Treatment outcomes between non-operative management group (78/139) and upfront laparoscopic appendectomy group (61/139) were compared. Antibiotic regimes were intravenous ceftriaxone/metronidazole or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 48 h, followed by oral antibiotics to complete total 10-days course.
Results
8/78 (10.3%) children had early failure (within 48 h) requiring appendectomy. 17/70 (24.3%) patients experienced late recurrence within mean follow-up time of 16.2 ± 4.7 months. There were no statistical differences in peri-operative complications, negative appendicectomy rate, and incidence of perforation and hospitalization duration between antibiotic and surgical treatment groups. Cost per patient in upfront surgical group was significantly higher ($6208.5 ± 5284.0) than antibiotic group ($3588.6 ± 3829.8; p = 0.001).
Conclusion
Despite 24.3% risk of recurrence of appendicitis in 16.2 ± 4.7 months, antibiotic therapy for AUA appears to be a safe and cost-effective alternative to upfront appendectomy.