Use of Expedited Post-Operative Protocol for Children Undergoing Appendicostomy Reduces Length of Hospitalization

Retrospective study of 30 pediatric patients demonstrates that an expedited post-operative protocol for appendicostomy (ACE) procedures significantly reduced hospital length of stay from 3 days to 1 day without increasing surgical site infections or unplanned visits. Protocol particularly effective for children with severe constipation and fecal incontinence who failed medical management.