Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Clinical Efficacy of an Innovative Multidimensional Traction Therapy in Moderate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Published on: February 10, 2026
Comparison of two methods for the management of appendicular mass in children
Derya Erdoğan1, Ibrahim Karaman, Adnan Narci
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Hospital, 06080 Ankara, Turkey. deryaerdogan@hotmail.com
Insights
Conservative management of pediatric appendiceal mass is safe, but elective appendectomy is recommended due to recurrence risks. Immediate surgery shows higher complication rates in this pediatric appendicitis study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
Background:
- Appendiceal mass is a common surgical emergency in children.
- Surgical management of appendiceal mass can be challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate outcomes of immediate surgery versus conservative treatment for pediatric appendiceal mass.
- To assess complication rates and hospitalization times for both management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 40 children with appendiceal mass over 5 years.
- Comparison of two groups: immediate operation (19 children) and conservative management with elective appendectomy (21 children).
Main Results:
- Immediate surgery group had a 26.3% complication rate, including ileal injury and abscess.
- Conservative group had a lower complication rate (8.6% failure to respond), with similar hospitalization times.
- Two patients in the conservative group later presented with perforated appendicitis.
Conclusions:
- Conservative treatment for pediatric appendiceal mass is a safe initial approach.
- Elective appendectomy is advocated post-conservative management to mitigate recurrence risk.
- Immediate surgery for appendiceal mass is associated with higher complication rates.
Abstract:
Appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in pediatric surgery. In the presence of an appendicular mass, surgical management can be difficult. We evaluate the results of appendix mass management both with immediate operation and conservative treatment over a period of 5 years. Forty children who presented with appendicular mass over a period of 5 years were reviewed. Their mean age was 7.6+/-2.7 years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 7.8+/-2.7 days. We evaluated the children in two groups: The first group included 19 children who were operated on immediately, and the second group included 21 children who were managed conservatively, followed by elective appendectomy. In the first group, mean hospitalization time was 8.7+/-3.2 days. The complication rate was found to be high (26.3%). Ileal injury occurred in two patients, intraabdominal abscess developed in one patient, and wound infection developed in another. Appendectomy could not be done in one patient who required another laparotomy 8 weeks later. In the second group, mean hospitalization time was 8.9+/-2.6 days. Two patients (8.6%) failed to respond to conservative management. Elective appendectomy was performed after 2-3 months. Two patients returned with perforated appendicitis 5 months and 12 months later, respectively, because they were not brought back for subsequent appendectomy. It can be concluded that conservative treatment of appendicular mass is safe; we also advocate elective appendectomy because of the probable risk of recurrence.
