Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Compare the Short- and Long-term Outcomes of Non-operative Management With Early Operative Management of Simple Appendicitis in Children After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Role of conservative management of acute appendicitis in pediatric age: a monocentric experience

Historically, appendectomy was the standard treatment for acute appendicitis (AA). Recently, interest has grown in conservative management of uncomplicated AA (UA). This study compared outcomes between non-operative management (NOM) and appendectomy, exploring preoperative factors to guide optimal UA management. In a monocentric retrospective study, we reviewed data on 774 pediatric patients with a primary diagnosis of AA from July 2017 to July 2022. We analyzed demographic, clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound data at first and last admission. Operated patients were stratified by management type and surgery timing. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Of the 530 children (68.5%) who underwent surgery at first admission, 316 had UA and 214 had CA. The 244 patients (31.5%) not indicated for surgery received intravenous antibiotics. Of these, 104 underwent appendectomy at second admission, with 9 presenting CA, requiring multiple antibiotic therapy and a hospital stay of 9.1 ± 3.1 days. Twenty-eight underwent surgery at their third admission and 112 never underwent surgery. In conclusion, more invasive approach may be preferable for patients with significant clinical signs at first presentation, minimizing hospital stay, costs, antibiotic use, and complications. Further studies on NOM in acute appendicitis are essential to optimize its use.

Efficacy of non-operative management of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: initial experience in a resource-limited setting

Although appendectomy remains the standard treatment for acute appendicitis, non-operative management has gained interest as a safe and effective alternative. However, its implementation in resource-limited hospitals like ours is hindered by insufficient staffing, high bed occupancy, lack of digital records and limited specialist access. Despite these challenges, we present our centre's initial experience. Between July 2022 and December 2023, 24 children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis were treated non-surgically, with an equal gender distribution. The initial success rate was 100%, with only three cases (12.5%) of treatment failure during 12 months of follow-up.

Appendicitis tends to be complicated during the COVID-19 epidemic: A multicentre retrospective study

Background

In past studies, non-medical factors in the social-healthcare-patient triad associated with the prevalence of COVID-19 have led to delays in the presentation of patients with acute appendicitis and an increase in complications. However, as research progresses, there is increasing evidence of a clinical association between COVID-19 and the development of acute appendicitis.

Methods

The effect of COVID-19 prevalence and associated factors on acute appendicitis in the control (2016-2019) and exposed (2020-2023) groups was derived from a retrospective study of 3070 patients with acute appendicitis from 2016 to 2023.

Results

After the implementation of the restrictions, the rate of acute appendicitis visits in the exposed group compared to the control group dropped sharply in the initial period (P = 0.047) and recovered gradually with the relaxation of the restrictions. Similar changes occurred in the number of acute complicated appendicitis visits. In addition, after the lifting of restrictions and the COVID-19 outbreak, the proportion of acute complicated appendicitis in the exposed group increased significantly (P < 0.001) and an increase in the number of complicated appendicitis visits was observed (P < 0.001) compared with the control group. In addition, the age distribution of acute appendicitis during this period showed an ageing trend (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

COVID-19 infections may be more likely to progress to complicated appendicitis after an episode of appendicitis, even if they have been cured for the same period of time. In addition, the proportion of elderly patients with appendicitis increased after the COVID-19 epidemic.