Delaying appendicitis treatment 'leads to complications'
Monday 17th October 2011
Delaying appendicitis treatment has been linked to a higher chance of complications and death, according to a report presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in Boston.
Children under the age of 18 who experienced an in-hospital delay of appendicitis treatment beyond two days were also seen to have an increased likelihood of complications.
These included perforation, abscess formation, longer hospitalisation, increased costs and even death.
Some 22.6 per cent of children in the delayed treatment group experienced perforated appendicitis compared to a rate of 18.9 per cent for those who received more immediate treatment.
Furthermore, there was also a 20-fold increase in mortality, with mean hospital stays for the delayed treatment group being more than ten days, compared to 2.89 days in those who were treated sooner.
Lead author Justin Lee said: "An in-hospital delay of two days was associated with a significant increase in complicated appendicitis requiring more extensive procedures."
Written by Alex Franklin Stortford
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