Diagnosis of acute appendicitis based on clinical scores: is it a myth or reality?

Acute appendicitis and its treatment: a historical overview

PURPOSE

Acute appendicitis (AA) is the leading cause of acute abdomen worldwide, with an incidence of 90-100 cases per 100,000 individuals annually and a lifetime risk of 7-12%. Despite its prevalence, historical accounts of AA are limited, particularly when compared to conditions like haemorrhoids, likely due to the appendix's internal location. This article traces the historical evolution of AA treatment from ancient times to the present, highlighting key contributions.

METHODS

A review of common research databases and relevant literature on AA was conducted.

RESULTS

Evidence from ancient Egypt suggests early recognition of the appendix, referring to it as the "worm of the bowel." However, detailed anatomical descriptions and treatment approaches for AA did not emerge until the Renaissance, particularly with contributions from Leonardo da Vinci and Berengario da Carpi. The article traces the progression of AA management, including the first autopsies and surgeries, the development of surgical techniques predating anaesthesia and antisepsis, and advancements achieved from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century. The shift from conservative to surgical approaches is discussed, alongside innovations such as laparoscopic appendicectomy, single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), and endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AA treatment, including adaptations in medical practices, is also explored.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the significant historical developments in AA treatment and its pivotal role in advancing abdominal surgery.

Magnetic resonance imaging for acute appendicitis in pregnancy: can clinical scores predict when imaging is needed?

PURPOSE

Advanced imaging may augment the diagnostic milieux for presumed acute appendicitis (AA) during pregnancy, however it is not clear when such imaging modalities are indicated. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of clinical scoring systems with the findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of AA in pregnant patients.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study between 2019 and 2021 was performed in two tertiary level centers. Pregnant patients presenting with suspected AA and non-diagnostic trans-abdominal ultrasound who underwent MRI as part of their evaluation were identified. Patient demographics, parity, gestation, presenting signs, and symptoms were documented. The Alvarado and Appendicitis Inflammatory Response (AIR) score for each patient were calculated and correlated with clinical and MRI findings. Univariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with AA on MRI.

RESULTS

Of the 255 pregnant patients who underwent MRI, 33 (13%) had findings of AA. On univariate analysis, presentation during the second/third trimester, migration of pain, vomiting and RLQ tenderness correlated with MRI findings of AA. Whilst 5/77 (6.5%) of patients with an Alvarado score ≤4 had signs of AA on MRI, a score of ≥5 had a sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value of 84.8%, 36.6%, 94.0% and 17.2%. For an AIR score ≥ 5, this was 78.8%, 41.5%, 93.0%, and 16.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst clinical scoring systems may be useful in identifying which pregnant patients require MRI to be performed when AA is suspected, the low sensitivity implies further research is needed to refine the use of this valuable resource.

Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of the Alvarado Score and Abdominal Ultrasound for Acute Appendicitis: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

Background

Acute appendicitis is a complex diagnosis that often requires both clinical and radiological evaluation. Significant variations in diagnostic approaches are evident among clinicians and healthcare institutions. While certain guidelines advocate for risk stratification based on clinical characteristics, others emphasize the importance of pre-operative imaging. This study seeks to explore the accuracy of the Alvarado Score and abdominal ultrasound (AUS) in diagnosing acute appendicitis.

Methods

Suspected cases of appendicitis admitted to Al-Thora Hospital in Ibb, Yemen, from Jan 2021 to July 2022 were evaluated. The demographics, clinical, and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. This study assessed Alvarado scores (calculated based on clinical evaluation and laboratory data) and pre-operative AUS findings, correlating them with post-operative and histopathology findings. The Alvarado scores and AUS sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were assessed using the ROC curve.

Results

Out of 1021 cases of acute abdomen, 171 patients were suspected of appendicitis. Using AUS along with the Alvarado score, appendicitis was presumed in 137 patients who underwent appendectomy. 130 (94.9%) patients had positive intraoperative and histopathology findings while 7 (5.1%) had negative findings. The Alvarado Score had a sensitivity and specificity of 94.62% and 87.80% at cutoffs of 6, respectively [Area under the curve (AUC): 0.985; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.954 to 0.998; p < 0.0001]. Abdominal US showed a sensitivity of 98.46% and specificity of 82.93% (AUC:0.907; 95% CI, 0.853 to 0.946; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Alvarado's score and AUS exhibited high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing acute appendicitis. The substantial accuracy and efficacy of both the Alvarado score and AUS support their utilization as primary investigative tools in resource-limited settings. This approach can help avoid unnecessary appendectomies and minimize the financial burden on patients.

Clinical Scoring Systems to Diagnose Complicated Acute Appendicitis in a Rural Hospital: Are They Good Enough?

Introduction Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical emergency in developed countries, whose incidence peaks in the second and third decades. The risk of mortality in uncomplicated AA is very low. There are many scoring systems to predict AA. Prediction scores are used less frequently to predict complicated AA. Rural hospitals are often constrained by a lack of round-the-clock imaging or special laboratory services, which may enable accurate diagnosis. Materials and methods This study aimed to determine whether prediction scores without imaging or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could predict complicated AA in a rural setting. All cases of AA for the previous 13 months were recruited for the study. Demographic data, clinical signs and symptoms, complete blood counts, intraoperative findings, and the corresponding histopathological results were collated. The scoring systems (Alvarado, RIPASA, Tzanakis, and Ohmann) were calculated from the clinical and laboratory data. Demographic variables, clinical features, and histopathological findings are described as frequencies/proportions. Chi-squared and Student's t-tests were used to analyze differences between patients with complicated and uncomplicated AA. A receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was performed to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) and determine whether appendicitis scores could predict complicated AA. Results There were 76 patients with a mean age of 29.1±13.0 years. Serositis was observed in 65% of the patients; mucosal ulceration was the most common microscopic finding, with a pathological diagnosis of AA in 58 (76.3%) patients. Rovsing's sign and the presence of phlegmon and granuloma were significantly different between those with and without complicated AA. The clinical prediction scores were not significantly different between the two groups. The Tzanakis and Ohmann scores were significant (cutoff: 6.5 and 7.25, p=0.001 and 0.01, respectively) in diagnosing AA (sensitivity/specificity of 98.3/66.7 and 98.3/94.4, respectively). With a cutoff of 5.75, the RIPASA score, with an AUC of 0.663 (p=0.09), showed the highest sensitivity (90.7) and specificity (76.6) for diagnosing complicated AA. Conclusion Diagnosing AA based solely on clinical presentation remains a challenge. This study showed that clinical scores such as those of Alvarado, RIPASA, Tzanakis, and Ohmann could not accurately predict complicated AA. Scoring systems without imaging and intraoperative diagnoses are not infallible; therefore, histopathological examination of the resected appendix is mandatory.

The Predictive Value of Plasma Sodium and Other Laboratory Parameters in Determining Complicating Appendicitis in Children

OBJECTIVE

Finding a reliable preoperative predictor of complicated acute appendicitis (AA) has been a challenging diagnostic problem. The present study aimed to identify potential factors that may predict complicated AA in the pediatric emergency department (ED) based on routine, widely available laboratory tests on admission to the ED, including plasma sodium concentration.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed clinical and laboratory data of pediatric patients with AA who underwent emergency surgery at our department between January 2020 and December 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: histopathologically proven complicated AA (n = 80), and non-complicated AA (n = 155).

RESULTS

Complicated AA was associated with reduced plasma sodium and chloride concentrations (p < 0.001, both), decreased values of lymphocytes (p = 0.002), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) ( p < 0.001), elevated values of white blood cells (WBC) and neutrophils (p = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). In binomial logistic regression, increased levels of CRP and WBC, and decreased levels of sodium were predictors of complicated AA. The area under the ROC curve was 0.825 (95% CI 0.764, 0.886).

CONCLUSION

We identified mild hyponatremia and elevated CRP and WBC values as potential markers for distinguishing complicated from uncomplicated pediatric AA with implications for surgical approaches for treating complicated AA and conservative approaches for treating uncomplicated AA.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ileocolic Artery and Vein Diameter for Acute Appendicitis

BACKGROUND Regional inflammation-induced local vasodilation may exist in cases of appendicitis. In this study, the diameters of the ileocolic artery (ICA) and ileocolic vein (ICV) were measured using contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans in acute appendicitis cases. The study aimed to measure the diagnostic value of these measurements in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 508 patients, including those with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis and a control group without appendicitis, were systematically evaluated. In all cases, the appendix was analyzed simultaneously on axial and coronal CT sections, and all measurement procedures were conducted with an electronic ruler after the actual images were magnified. Measurements of the ICA and ICV diameters were taken from the proximal 2-cm segments of the superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein in the axial plane. Demographic information, sex distribution, and ICA and ICV diameters were collected. RESULTS Of the 508 patients, 53.74% were men, and 46.26% were women. ICA and ICV diameters were significantly increased in the appendicitis group (P<0.001). Binomial logistic regression confirmed the independent predictive value of ICA and ICV diameters. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined optimal cut-off values for distinguishing between the non-appendicitis and appendicitis groups (ICA: 2.475 mm, ICV: 3.885 mm) with high sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS ICA and ICV diameter measurements, in conjunction with major radiological findings, can enhance diagnostic accuracy in acute appendicitis cases. The use of ICA and ICV diameter measurements in diagnosing acute appendicitis offers a novel perspective in clinical practice.

Complication analysis in acute appendicitis, results from an international multicenter study

PURPOSE

Acute appendicitis (AA) is frequent, its diagnosis is challenging, and the surgical intervention is not risk free. An accurate diagnosis will reduce unnecessary surgeries and associated risks. This study aimed to analyze the rate of appendectomies' postoperative complications.

METHODS

Multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted at three large hospitals (Pisa University Hospital, Italy; Henri Mondor University Hospital, Paris, France; and Valencia University Hospital, Spain).

RESULTS

A total of 3070 patients with a median age of 28 years (IQR 20-43) were enrolled. 1403 (45.7%) were females. Eight hundred ninety patients (29%) did not undergo preoperative imaging. Ultrasound and CT scans were performed in 1465 (47.7%) and 715 (23.3%) patients. Patients requiring CT scan were older [median 38 (IQR 26-53) vs. no imaging median 24 (IQR 16-35), Ultrasound median 28 (IQR 20-41); p < 0.0001]. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 58.6%. Complications developed in 1279 (41.7%) patients: Clavien-Dindo grades I-II in 1126 (33.9%); Clavien-Dindo grades III-IV in 146 (5.2%). Overall mortality was 0.2%. Following resection of a normal appendix, 15% experienced major complications (Clavien-Dindo grades IIIb and above). Multivariable analysis revealed that age, Charlson comorbidity index, histopathology, and Alvarado score over 7 were associated with a higher risk of Clavien-Dindo complication grades IIIa and higher.

CONCLUSION

Appendectomy may be associated with serious postoperative complications. Complications were associated with older age, Charlson comorbidity index, histopathology, and high Alvarado scores. The definition of accurate diagnostic and therapeutic pathways may improve results. The association between clinical scores and radiology is recommended.

Performance and diagnostic accuracy of scoring systems in adult patients with suspected appendicitis

BACKGROUND

This study aims to determine the most accurate appendicitis scoring system and optimal cut-off points for each scoring system.

METHODS

This single-centred prospective cohort study was conducted from January-to-June 2021, involving all patients admitted on suspicion of appendicitis. All patients were scored according to the Alvarado score, Appendicitis Inflammatory Response (AIR) score, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPASA) score and Adult Appendicitis score (AAS). The final diagnosis for each patient was recorded. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each system. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed for each scoring system, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Optimal cut-off scores were calculated using Youden's Index.

RESULTS

A total of 245 patients were recruited with 198 (80.8%) patients underwent surgery. RIPASA score had higher sensitivity and specificity than other scoring systems without being statistically significant (sensitivity 72.7%, specificity 62.3%, optimal score 8.5, AUC 0.724), followed by the AAS (sensitivity 60.2%, specificity 75.4%, optimal score 14, AUC 0.719), AIR score (sensitivity 76.7%, specificity 52.2%, optimal score 5, AUC 0.688) and Alvarado score (sensitivity 69.9%, specificity 62.3%, optimal score 5, AUC 0.681). Multiple logistic regression revealed anorexia (p-value 0.018), right iliac fossa tenderness (p-value 0.005) and guarding (p-value 0.047) as significant clinical factors independently associated with appendicitis.

CONCLUSION

Appendicitis scoring systems have shown moderate sensitivity and specificity in our population. The RIPASA scoring system has shown to be the most sensitive, specific and easy-to-use scoring system in the Malaysian population whereas the AAS is most accurate in excluding low-risk patients.

Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis: A Cross-sectional Study on Alvarado's Score from a Low Income Country

Background

Alvarado score is the most widely used scoring system for diagnosing acute appendicitis, globally. There have been concerns regarding the diagnostic accuracy of this score as it was shown to have lower sensitivity in certain populations like Blacks and Asians. Despite its wide clinical use in the Ethiopian set up, the diagnostic accuracy of this score remained largely unexamined in this population.

Methodology

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted and all adult patients who presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and evaluated with a clinical impression of acute appendicitis were enrolled in the study. Data was collected by trained surgical residents over a period of six months (August 2019- January 2020) and analysed using SPSS version 25.

Results

A total of 235 patients were enrolled in this study among whom two thirds were males. The majority of the study participants (61.7%) had an Alvarado score of ≥7 while almost a quarter of them had a score of <4. The mean Alvarado score in this study was 7 ± 1.8 whereas the median and the mode were 7 and 9 respectively. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Alvarado score were 99.1%, 55.6%, 98.2% and 62.5% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of this score was superior in males compared to females (99.3% vs 97.6% and 80% vs 25%). A score of ≥5 was found to have a sensitivity of 98.4%.

Conclusion

Alvarado score was found to have good sensitivity and positive predictive value in this study. A score of ≥5 can be used to "rule in" the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Hence, the use of Alvarado score's in the Ethiopian setup is to be encouraged.

Impacts of short-term air pollution exposure on appendicitis admissions: Evidence from one of the most polluted cities in mainland China

Background

Emerging evidence indicates that air pollutants contribute to the development and progression of gastrointestinal diseases. However, there is scarce evidence of an association with appendicitis in mainland China.

Methods

In this study, Linfen city, one of the most polluted cities in mainland China, was selected as the study site to explore whether air pollutants could affect appendicitis admissions and to identify susceptible populations. Daily data on appendicitis admissions and three principal air pollutants, including inhalable particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were collected in Linfen, China. The impacts of air pollutants on appendicitis were studied by using a generalized additive model (GAM) combined with the quasi-Poisson function. Stratified analyses were also performed by sex, age, and season.

Results

We observed a positive association between air pollution and appendicitis admissions. For a 10 μg/m3 increase in pollutants at lag01, the corresponding relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were 1.0179 (1.0129–1.0230) for PM10, 1.0236 (1.0184–1.0288) for SO2, and 1.0979 (1.0704–1.1262) for NO2. Males and people aged 21–39 years were more susceptible to air pollutants. Regarding seasons, the effects seemed to be stronger during the cold season, but there was no statistically significant difference between the seasonal groups.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that short-term air pollution exposure was significantly correlated with appendicitis admissions, and active air pollution interventions should be implemented to reduce appendicitis hospitalizations, especially for males and people aged 21–39 years.

The role of IL-6, thiol-disulfide homeostasis, and inflammatory biomarkers in the prediction of acute appendicitis in children: a controlled study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the diagnostic value of IL-6, thiol-disulfide homeostasis, complete blood count and inflammatory biomarkers in the prediction of acute appendicitis in children.

METHODS

The study was designed as a prospective and controlled study in children-the study was conducted at a tertiary referential university hospital between May 2020 and April 2021. Patients were divided between study groups and one control group (CG): 1: confirmed acute appendicitis group (AAP); 2: perforated appendicitis group (PAP); and 3: non-specified abdominal pain (NAP). The age and gender of the patients were determined. The following listed laboratory parameters were compared between groups: TOS: total oxidative status, TAS: total antioxidant status, OSI: oxidative stress index, TT: total thiol, NT (µmol/L): native thiol, DIS: disulfide, IL-6: interleukin 6, TNF-a: tumor necrosis factor-alpha, WBC: white blood cell, NEU: neutrophil, NEU%: neutrophil percentage, LY: lymphocyte, LY%: lymphocyte percentage, PLT: platelet, MPV: mean platelet volume NLR: neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, CRP: C-reactive protein, LCR: lymphocyte CRP ratio, and serum lactate.

RESULTS

The TOS level of the PAP group was found to be significantly higher than that in the AAP, NAP and control groups (p = 0.006, < 0.001 and p < 0.001). TAS, TT, and NT levels in the PAP group were significantly lower than those in the AAP, NAP and control groups. OSI was significantly higher in the PAP group than in the other groups. The TT and NT levels of the NAP group were both similar to those of the control group. Serum DIS level was similar between the AAP and PAP groups, AAP and NAP groups, and NAP and control groups. Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were found to be significantly higher in the PAP group compared to those in all groups. The WBC, NEU, and NEU% values were found to be significantly higher in the PAP group than those in the NAP and control groups, while LY and LY% values were found to be significantly lower. PAP and AAP groups were found to be similar in terms of WBC, NEU, LYM, NEU%, and LYM% values. PLT and MPV values and serum lactate values did not show a significant difference between the groups. NLR was similar in the AAP and PAP groups. A significant increase in CRP versus a decrease in LCR was detected in the PAP group compared to that in the AAP group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only IL-6 has significant estimated accuracy rates as 80% for the control group, 78.8% for AAP, 96.9% for PAP, and 81.6% for NAP.

CONCLUSION

Rather than AAP, PAP caused significantly higher oxidative stress (increased TOS and OSI), and lower antioxidation capacity (decreased TT and NT). IL-6 levels can provide a significant stratification. Nevertheless, simply detecting WBC or CRP is not enough to distinguish the specific pathology in acute appendicitis and related conditions.

The diagnostic value of the computed tomography scan and ultrasonography in acute appendicitis

The most prevalent cause of emergency abdominal surgery is acute appendicitis. Ultrasonography is safe and widely available, although it's operator-dependent and difficult for people with massive bodies. Computed tomography (CT) scans are more accurate than ultrasonography, with a 93 to 98% accuracy rate. The goal of this investigation is to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasonography and CT scanning for acute appendicitis. This is a cross-sectional study that was performed on 231 patients with suspected with acute appendicitis. The Alvarado score was initially used to diagnose acute appendicitis. A radiologist performed abdominal ultrasonography on all patients. If the results of the ultrasonography were negative or unclear, a CT scan was performed using oral contrast. Finally, all ultrasonography and CT scan data were reevaluated by an experienced radiologist and compared to the patient's final diagnosis in the case of surgery and pathology results. Comparisons between the two groups were performed. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of ultrasonography according to pathology results in patients with low clinical suspicion were 74.9%, 63.4%, 94.3%, and 67.6%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of CT scans based on pathology results were 87.9%, 81.8%, 94.7%, and 79.3%, respectively, in patients with low clinical suspicion. The CT scan results in female patients suspected of appendicitis were completely consistent with the pathology results. The CT scan demonstrated greater specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing acute appendicitis compared to abdominal ultrasonography.

Single-incision compared with conventional laparoscopy for appendectomy in acute appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

A meta-analysis of the relevant literature evaluated the feasibility, safety, and potential benefits of single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) relative to those of conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA).

METHODS

The major biomedical databases, including ClinicalTrials.gov, were searched up to January 2022 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SILA and CLA were compared regarding patient body mass index, operative time, and perioperative complications. The Cochrane Handbook and RevMan 5.3 were used to judge trial quality and perform the meta-analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

The 17 included RCTs comprised 2068 patients, of whom 1039 and 1029 patients underwent SILA and CLA, respectively. The operative time for SILA was longer than that for CLA (MD = 8.35 min, 95% CI = 6.58 to 10.11, P < 0.00001), but the cosmetic results from SILA were superior (SMD = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.58 to 1.03, P < 0.00001). However, the incidence rates were similar in terms of patient body mass index; postoperative pain scores; and rates of abdominal abscess, conversion to open surgery, ileus, surgical site infection, and overall perioperative complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

SILA is a safe technique for acute appendicitis, and its cosmetic outcomes are superior to those of CLA.

Comparison of scoring systems regarding the gender as a parameter with the traditional scoring systems for predicting appendicitis

Although acute appendicitis remains the most common cause of acute abdomen in General Surgery practice, negative appendectomy rates are still high in particularly female patients. Appendicitis scoring systems considering gender can help the clinician to reduce negative appendectomy rates in females. This present study aims to compare the Lintula, Ripasa, Fenyo-Lindberg scoring systems, which use gender as a variable, with the Alvarado, Karaman, scoring systems to evaluate which CSS is more successful in the differential diagnosis of appendicitis in females. We analyzed the records of the patients operated on with a prediagnosis of acute appendicitis in our clinic between 2020 and 2021, retrospectively. Alvarado, adult appendicitis score (AAS), appendicitis inflammatory response score (AIRS), Ripasa, Karaman, Lintula, and Fenyo Lindberg scores were calculated for each patient. The patients were divided into two groups as male and female, according to gender. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify the best cut-off value and assess the performance of the test score for appendicitis. Three hundred and sixty-three patients were included in the study. One hundred seventy-two (47.4%) of the patients were male, and 191 (52.6%) were female. Alvarado and AAS were the most valuable score in female (AUC: 0.805, sensitivity: 0.63, specificity: 0.83; and area under curve (AUC): 0.794, Sensitivity 0.71, Specificity: 0.76, respectively), male group (AUC: 0.828, Sensitivity: 0.71, Specificity: 0.83; and AUC: 0.834, Sensitivity 0.74, Specificity: 0.77, respectively), and when patients were not categorized by gender (AUC: 0.818, Sensitivity: 0.67 Specificity: 0.83; and AUC: 0.794, Sensitivity 0.71, Specificity: 0.76, respectively). Although the Alvarado scoring system is the first defined appendicitis scoring system, it seems as superior to the many scoring systems defined after it in predicting appendicitis, even in female patients.

Presurgical time and associated factors as predictors of acute perforated appendicitis: a prospective cohort study in a teaching pediatric hospital in Colombia

Background

We aim to determine the association between out and in-hospital factors with time, from the beginning of the symptoms to the surgery, in patients with acute appendicitis treated at Fundación Hospital Pediatrico La Misericordia (HOMI) in Colombia.

Methods

Eleven month prospective cohort study of pediatric patients at HOMI with acute appendicitis diagnosis taken to surgery. Data from the out-of-hospital phase was collected by surveying parents, and the data regarding the in-hospital phase was completed with medical records. We analyzed the association between the time from the beginning of the symptoms to the surgery, and out and in-hospital factors associated with this time using generalized linear models.

Results

Eight hundred three patients were included in the study. Total pre-surgical time was longer in perforated appendicitis (PA) group (2.65 days, standard deviation (SD) 1.88 vs. 2.04 days, SD 1.45) (p < 0.01). Factors associated with longer total and out-of-hospital presurgical times were age under 4 years old, lower socioeconomic status, father as a caregiver, self-medication, and underestimating disease severity.

Conclusions

Out-of-hospital timing determines the longer pre-surgical time in complicated appendicitis. Younger age and lower socioeconomic status affect time significantly. We suggest the implementation of strategies in order to lower prehospital time, rates, and costs of complicated appendicitis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03121-8.