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Eur J Pediatr Surg 2021; 31(01): 095-101
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1718406
Original Article

Predictive Value of Alvarado Score and Pediatric Appendicitis Score in the Success of Nonoperative Management for Simple Acute Appendicitis in Children

Audelia Eshel Fuhrer
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
,
Igor Sukhotnik
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
,
Yoav Ben-Shahar
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
,
Mark Weinberg
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
,
Tal Koppelmann
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Abstract

Introduction During the past decade, nonoperative management (NOM) for simple acute appendicitis (SAA) in children has been proven safe with noninferior complications rate. The aim of this study was to examine Alvarado score and pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) together with other factors in predicting failure of NOM in children presenting with SAA.

Materials and Methods Patients aged 5 to 18 years admitted to our department between 2017 and 2019 diagnosed with SAA were given a choice between surgical management and NOM. We divided the NOM patients into two groups: successful treatment and failed NOM, comparing their files for Alvarado score and PAS and other clinical and demographic factors, with a mean follow-up of 7 months. Failure was determined as need for appendectomy following conservative treatment due to any reason.

Results A total of 85 patients answered criteria and chose NOM. Overall failure rate was 32.9%. We found no difference in the mean Alvarado score and PAS as well as in each component of both scores between success and failed NOM groups. However, when using the risk classification of the scores, we found a significant correlation between high-risk Alvarado score and failed NOM. After adjusting for age, gender, duration of symptoms, diagnosis of tip appendicitis, and presence of appendicolith, the odds of failure were four times higher among high-risk Alvarado group.

Conclusion Alvarado score of 7 or higher, older age, and diagnosis of an appendicolith on imaging are possible predictors for failure of NOM for SAA in children.

Keywords

simple acute appendicitis - children - nonoperative management - Alvarado score - pediatric appendicitis score


Publication History

Received: 14 May 2020

Accepted: 27 August 2020

Article published online:
20 October 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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