Appendicitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Appendicitis, including details on symptoms, surgery, causes, treatment.

Is Interval Appendectomy necessary after successful conservative treatment of appendiceal mass in children?

Fisher M, Meates-Dennis M

University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Clinical Bottom Line * Most patients who have had an appendiceal mass successfully treated conservatively do not get a recurrence of appendicitis (Recommendation Grade B) * The few patients who get recurrence may do so within months of initial presentation (Recommendation Grade B) * Interval appendectomy is not necessary or cost-effective for managing appendiceal masses. Rather, patients should be alerted to the possibility of a recurrence of appendicitis and encouraged to seek medical attention early should that occur, so an appendectomy can be undertaken at that time. (Recommendation Grade A).

Published 28 February 2008 in Arch Dis Child.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Appendicitis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.