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Non-operative management of appendicitis in children

Nigel J Hall1,2, Simon Eaton3

  • 1Department of Paediatric Surgery and Urology, Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton, UK.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|October 26, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Non-operative treatment (NOT) using antibiotics alone shows promise for treating acute appendicitis in children, potentially avoiding surgery. However, further research is needed to confirm its safety and reliability as a standard alternative.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Appendicectomy has been the primary treatment for acute appendicitis in children for decades.
  • Recent interest has emerged in non-operative treatment (NOT) using antibiotics as an alternative.
  • Initial studies indicate NOT may be a safe option for some pediatric appendicitis cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on non-operative treatment (NOT) for acute appendicitis in children.
  • To identify and discuss existing knowledge gaps regarding NOT.
  • To evaluate the potential of NOT as a reliable alternative to surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on non-operative treatment for pediatric acute appendicitis.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of NOT efficacy and safety.
  • Identification of areas requiring further investigation.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests that a significant number of children with appendicitis can be treated non-operatively with antibiotics.
  • NOT may allow children to avoid surgical intervention.
  • Unanswered questions persist regarding the long-term outcomes and optimal protocols for NOT.

Conclusions:

  • Non-operative treatment (NOT) with antibiotics is a viable consideration for pediatric acute appendicitis.
  • Further research is essential to establish NOT as a dependable alternative to appendicectomy.
  • Addressing knowledge gaps is crucial for the widespread adoption of NOT.

Keywords:
appendicitisevidence-based medicinepaediatric surgery

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