Acute Appendicitis in Children, José Carrasco Arteaga Hospital. Cuenca, 2012-2016

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Among pediatric emergencies, acute appendicitis is the most frequent pathology, it is important to observe their behavior in our environment and variables such as age and differential diagnoses should be taken into account.

Objective: to determine the characteristics of patients under 16 admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Service of the José Carrasco Hospital with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis between January 2012 and December 2016.

Methods: It is a descriptive study based on the medical records of children admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain in the period January 2012 to December 2016 and diagnosed with appendicitis. The data was analyzed and tabulated in the Excel program. All ethical considerations were taken into account.

Results: 614 children with abdominal pain were analyzed; 334 were diagnosed with acute appendicitis (246 children) and appendicular peritonitis (88 children), 54.19% correspond to the male sex. The average age was 9.9 years; the leukocytosis was the most frequent laboratory finding in 82.93%. The ultrasound study was positive for appendicitis in 55.69%. All received laparoscopic treatment by the same surgical team, complications occurred in 8.69%.

Conclusions: acute appendicitis is the main cause of emergency surgery in pediatric patients, it affects more to the male gender, between 6 and 11 years of age (average 9.9 years), immediate diagnosis and treatment is required to avoid complications; laparoscopic treatment is a safe procedure

Keywords: appendicitis, peritonitis, child