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Acute appendicitis in preschool age children
American Journal of Surgery
|February 1, 1980
Insights
Appendicitis is common in preschoolers. Delayed diagnosis (over 40 hours) often indicates perforation, requiring surgical intervention and wound management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Health
Background:
- Appendicitis frequently affects preschool-aged children.
- Delayed presentation is a significant concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize key findings and management strategies for appendicitis in young children.
- To highlight the implications of delayed diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentation and diagnostic indicators.
- Analysis of treatment protocols for complicated appendicitis.
Main Results:
- Common symptoms include abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, and vomiting.
- Appendiceal perforation is often associated with symptom duration exceeding 40 hours.
Conclusions:
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for pediatric appendicitis.
- For perforated appendicitis or abscess, appendectomy with wound care and delayed closure is recommended.
Abstract:
Appendicitis in preschool children is not uncommon. A duration of greater than 40 hours usually implied perforation. The most common findings were abdominal pain, tenderness, temperature elevation and vomiting. In the presence of perforation or abscess formation, appendectomy followed by copious wound irrigation, abscess drainage and delayed secondary wound closure is the procedure of choice.