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Ceftriaxone-induced pseudolithiasis in children treated for perforated appendicitis
Hanna Alemayehu1, Amita A Desai, Priscilla Thomas
1Department of Surgery, Center for Prospective Clinical Trials, Children's Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.
Ceftriaxone use in children with perforated appendicitis can lead to biliary pseudolithiasis. This condition, characterized by gallbladder stones or sludge, occurred in 14% of patients and was not linked to treatment duration.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Ceftriaxone is a commonly used antibiotic in pediatric care.
- Pseudolithiasis, or gallbladder sludge/stones, has been linked to ceftriaxone therapy.
- Perforated appendicitis in children often requires antibiotic treatment, including ceftriaxone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence of ceftriaxone-related pseudolithiasis in children treated for perforated appendicitis.
- To determine if the duration of ceftriaxone therapy influences pseudolithiasis development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 71 pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis.
- All patients received post-operative ceftriaxone treatment.
- Gallbladder imaging before and after treatment was analyzed.
Main Results:
- 14% (10 out of 71) of patients developed gallbladder stones or sludge.
- Mean duration of ceftriaxone therapy was 8.7 days.
- No significant difference in treatment duration was found between patients who developed pseudolithiasis and those who did not.
Conclusions:
- Ceftriaxone treatment for perforated appendicitis in children is associated with a significant incidence of biliary pseudolithiasis.
- The development of pseudolithiasis was not dependent on the duration of ceftriaxone therapy.
- One case of symptomatic pseudolithiasis required cholecystectomy.
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