Operative treatment for intussusception: Should an incidental appendectomy be performed?
jpedsurg.org shows its articles on its own site.
Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Dec 2018 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Retrospective analysis of 1,312 pediatric intussusception cases comparing surgical reduction with versus without incidental appendectomy. Study found appendectomy increased costs and length of stay without clear clinical benefit, questioning the routine practice of incidental appendectomy during intussusception repair.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Background/objectives
An incidental appendectomy is performed by some surgeons during operative treatment for intussusception to eliminate future appendicitis as a diagnostic consideration. However, an appendectomy can increase the risk of infection and other noninfectious complications making an incidental appendectomy controversial. We examined outcomes for surgical intervention for intussusception with appendectomy (SWA) compared to surgical reduction alone (SRA).
Methods
The Pediatric Health Information System database, 8/2008–9/2015, was retrospectively analyzed for patients under the age of five who required an operative intervention for intussusception without bowel resection. Demographic data and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Available data included need for postoperative enema, subsequent small bowel obstruction, recurrent intussusception, length of stay (LOS), and adjusted total cost (ATC).
Results
Fifty-seven percent (748/1312) of patients had appendectomy performed during surgical reduction, 564 (43%) did not. ATC ($10,594 vs. $8939, p