Do surgical emergencies stay at home? Observations from the first United States Coronavirus epicenter.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, New York instituted a statewide stay-at-home mandate to lower viral transmission. While public health guidelines advised continued provision of timely care for patients, disruption of safety-net health care and public fear have been proposed to be related to indirect deaths because of delays in presentation. We hypothesized that admissions for emergency general surgery (EGS) diagnoses would decrease during the pandemic and that mortality for these patients would increase. METHODS: A multicenter observational study comparing EGS admissions from January to May 2020 to 2018 and 2019 across 11 NYC hospitals in the largest public health care system in the United States was performed. Emergency general surgery diagnoses were defined using International Classification Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes and grouped into seven common diagnosis categories: appendicitis, cholecystitis, small/large bowel, peptic ulcer disease, groin hernia, ventral hernia, and necrotizing soft tissue infection. Baseline demographics were compared including age, race/ethnicity, and payor status. Outcomes included coronavirus disease (COVID) status and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1,376 patients were admitted for EGS diagnoses from January to May 2020, a decrease compared with both 2018 (1,789) and 2019 (1,668) (p < 0.0001). This drop was most notable after the stay-at-home mandate (March 22, 2020; week 12). From March to May 2020, 3.3%, 19.2%, and 6.0% of EGS admissions were incidentally COVID positive, respectively. Mortality increased in March to May 2020 compared with 2019 (2.2% vs. 0.7%); this difference was statistically significant between April 2020 and April 2019 (4.1% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Supporting our hypothesis, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home mandate resulted in decreased EGS admissions between March and May 2020 compared with prior years. During this time, there was also a statistically significant increase in mortality, which peaked at the height of COVID infection rates in our population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological, level IV.

Managing acute uncomplicated appendicitis in frail geriatric patients: A second hit may be too much.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have proposed the use of antibiotics only in cases of acute uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA). However, there remains a paucity of data evaluating this nonoperative approach in the vulnerable frail geriatric population. The aim of this study was to examine long-term outcomes of frail geriatric patients with AUA treated with appendectomy compared with initial nonoperative management (NOP). METHODS: We conducted a 1-year (2017) analysis of the Nationwide Readmissions Database and included all frail geriatric patients(age, ≥65 years) with a diagnosis of AUA. Frailty was assessed using the five-factor modified frailty index. Patients were stratified into those undergoing appendectomy at index admission (operative management) versus those receiving antibiotics only without operative intervention (NOP). Propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio was performed adjusting for patient- and hospital-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 5,562 frail geriatric patients with AUA were identified from which a matched cohort of 1,320 patients in each group was obtained. Patients in the NOP and operative management were comparable in terms of age (75.5 ± 7.7 vs. 75.5 ± 7.4 years; p = 0.882) and modified frailty index (0.4 [0.4-0.6] vs. 0.4 [0.4-0.6]; p = 0.526). Failure of NOP management was reported in 18% of patients, 95% of which eventually underwent appendectomy. Over the 6-month follow-up period, patients in the NOP group had significantly higher rates of Clostridium difficile enterocolitis (3% vs. 1%; p < 0.001), greater number of overall hospitalized days (5 [3-9] vs. 4 [2-7] days; p < 0.001), and higher overall costs (US $16,000 [12,000-25,000] vs. US $11,000 [8,000-19,000]; p < 0.001). Patients undergoing appendectomy after failed NOP had significantly higher rates of complications (20% vs. 11%; p < 0.001), mortality (4% vs. 2%; p = 0.019), and appendiceal neoplasm (3% vs. 1%; p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: One in six patients failed NOP within 6 months and required appendectomy with subsequent more complications and higher mortality. Appendectomy may offer better outcomes in managing AUA in the frail geriatric population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level IV.

A Nationwide Cohort Study of Outcome after Pediatric Appendicitis.

INTRODUCTION: Children with appendicitis often present with complicated disease. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical management of pediatric appendicitis, and to report how disease severity and operative modality are associated with short- and long-term risks of adverse outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationwide retrospective cohort study of all Swedish children (<18 years) diagnosed with appendicitis, 2001 to 2014 (n = 38,939). Primary and secondary outcomes were length of stay, surgical site infections, readmissions, 30-day mortality, and long-term risk of surgery for small bowel obstruction (SBO). Implications of complicated disease and operative modality were assessed with adjustment for age, gender, and trends over time. RESULTS: Complicated appendicitis was associated with longer hospital stay (4 vs. 2 days, p < 0.001), increased risk of surgical site infection (5.9 vs. 2.3%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.64 [95% confidence interval, CI: 2.18-3.18], p < 0.001), readmission (5.5 vs. 1.2, aOR: 4.74 [95% CI: 4.08-5.53], p < 0.001), as well as long-term risk of surgery for SBO (0.7 vs. 0.2%, adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 3.89 [95% CI: 2.61-5.78], p < 0.001). Intended laparoscopic approach was associated with reduced risk of surgical site infections (2.3 vs. 3.1%, aOR: 0.74 [95% CI: 0.62-0.89], p = 0.001), but no overall reduction in risk for SBO; however, successful laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with less SBO during follow-up compared with open appendectomy (aHR: 0.27 [95% CI: 0.11-0.63], p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Children treated for complicated appendicitis are at risk of substantial short- and long-term morbidities. Fewer surgical site infections were seen after intended laparoscopic appendectomy, compared with open appendectomy, also when converted procedures were accounted for.

Appendicitis Mortality in a Resource-Limited Setting: Issues of Access and Failure to Rescue.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is one of the most common emergency surgery conditions worldwide, and the incidence is increasing in low- and middle-income countries. Disparities in access to care can lead to disproportionate morbidity and mortality in resource-limited settings; however, outcomes following an appendectomy in low- and middle-income countries remain poorly described. Therefore, we aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with appendicitis presenting to a tertiary care center in Malawi. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) Acute Care Surgery database from 2013 to 2020. We included all patients ≥13 years with a postoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. We performed bivariate analysis by mortality, followed by a modified Poisson regression analysis to determine predictors of mortality. RESULTS: We treated 214 adults at KCH for acute appendicitis. The majority experienced prehospital delays to care, presenting at least 1 week from symptom onset (n = 99, 46.3%). Twenty (9.4%) patients had appendiceal perforation. Mortality was 5.6%. The presence of a postoperative complication the only statistically significant predictor of mortality (RR 5.1 [CI 1.13-23.03], P = 0.04) when adjusting for age, shock, transferring, and time to presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Delay to intervention due to inadequate access to care predisposes our population for worse postoperative outcomes. The increased risk of mortality associated with resultant surgical complications suggests that failure to rescue is a significant contributor to appendicitis-related deaths at KCH. Improvement in barriers to diagnosis and management of complications is necessary to reduce further preventable deaths from this disease.

Appendicitis is a Severe Disease in Elderly Patients: A Twenty-Year Audit.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Life expectancy has increased substantially. Elderly patients currently represent a large part of patients requiring emergency abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of elderly patients who underwent appendectomy in a single French tertiary center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2014. We used the French threshold of ≥ 75 y-old to define elderly patients. Hence, elderly patients who underwent appendectomy were compared to the younger group. RESULTS: During the study period, 2,060 consecutive patients underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 52% of cases. Similar rates of laparoscopic approach were recorded in both groups, but conversion to open surgery was six times more frequent in elderly patients (17% vs. 3%; P < .0001). A higher incidence of complicated appendicitis was observed in the elderly group (63% vs. 13.6%; P < .0001). Complications occurred more frequently in the elderly group (46% vs. 8%; P < .0001). 30-d mortality was 0.15% for patients < 75 y and 6.15% for elderly patients (P < .0001). Unsuspected presence of an appendiceal neoplasm was higher (7.7%) in the elderly population. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the fact that appendicitis in the elderly is associated with a higher rate of complicated appendicitis, morbidity, and mortality.

Trends in Appendicitis Among Pregnant Women, the Risk for Cardiac Arrest, and Maternal-Fetal Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common extra-uterine surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention during pregnancy. However, risks for mortality and morbidity among pregnant women with appendicitis remain poorly understood. This study was conducted to determine the temporal trends of appendicitis in pregnant women, and to calculate the risk of maternal-fetal mortality and near-miss marker (i.e., cardiac arrest) among pregnant women in general, and by race/ethnicity. METHODS: We conducted this retrospective study using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2015. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate and describe temporal changes in the rates of all and acute appendicitis during the 14-year study period. We also estimated the risk of cardiac arrest, maternal, and fetal mortality among mothers of various racial/ethnic groups with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Within each group, patients without acute appendicitis were the referent category. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Out of the 58 million pregnancy hospitalizations during the study period, 63,145 cases (10.74 per 10,000 hospitalizations) were for acute appendicitis. There was a 5% decline (95% CI: - 5.1, - 5.0) in the rate of appendicitis hospitalizations over the period of the study. After adjusting for covariates, pregnant mothers with acute appendicitis had increased likelihood when compared to those without acute appendicitis to suffer fetal loss (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.85-2.28) and nearly fivefold increase for inpatient maternal death. In conclusion, appendicitis during pregnancy remains an important cause of in-hospital maternal-fetal mortality overall and regardless of race/ethnicity.

The Unintended Consequences of Nonoperative Management of Acute Appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis has traditionally been treated surgically. Recently, nonoperative management is emerging as a viable alternative to the traditional operative approach. This raises the question of what are the unintended consequences of nonoperative management of appendicitis with respect to cost and patient burden. METHODS: National Readmissions Database was queried between 2010 and 2014. Patients who were admitted with acute appendicitis between January and June of each year were identified. Patients who underwent appendectomy were compared with those treated nonoperatively. Six-month all-cause readmission rates and aggregate costs between index hospitalization and readmissions were calculated. RESULTS: We identified 438,995 adult admissions for acute appendicitis. Most cases were managed with appendectomy (93.2%). There was a significant increase in the rate of nonoperative management, from 3.6% in 2010 to 6.8% in 2014 (P value for trend <0.01). Discharges receiving nonoperative management tended to be older and have more comorbidities. There was a 59% decreased adjusted odds of readmission within 6 mo among patients receiving appendectomy in comparison to those managed nonoperatively. Despite this, in multivariable linear regression, there was an adjusted $2900 cost increase associated with surgical management (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that nonoperative management is increasing. Patients treated nonoperatively may have an increased risk of readmission within 6 mo but incur a decreased average adjusted total cost. Given this, it is important that surgeons critically assess patients who are being considered for nonoperative management of appendicitis.

Trend of Appendicitis Mortality at National and Provincial Levels in Iran from 1990 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is one of the most preventable causes of death worldwide. We aimed to determine the trend of mortality due to appendicitis by sex and age at national and provincial levels in Iran during 26 years. METHODS: Data were collected from Iran Death Registration System (DRS), cemetery databanks in Tehran and Esfahan, and the national population and housing censuses of Iran. The estimated population was determined for each group from 1990 to 2015 using a growth model. Incompleteness, misalignment, and misclassification in the DRS were addressed and multiple imputation methods were used for dealing with missing data. ICD-10 codes were converted to Global Burden of Disease (GBD) codes to allow comparison of the results with the GBD study. A Spatio-Temporal model and Gaussian Process Regression were used to predict the levels and trends in child and adult mortality rates, as well as cause fractions. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2015, 6,982 deaths due to appendicitis were estimated in Iran. The age-standardized mortality rate per 100000 decreased from 0.72 (95% UI: 0.46-1.12) in 1990 to 0.11 (0.07-0.16) in 2015, a reduction of 84.72% over the course of 26 years. The male: female ratio was 1.13 during the 26 years of the study with an average annual percent change of -2.31% for women and -2.63% for men. Among men and women, appendicitis mortality rate had the highest magnitude of decline in the province of Zanjan and the lowest in the province of Hormozgan. In 1990, the lowest age-standardized appendicitis-related mortality was observed in both women and men in the province of Alborz and the highest mortality rate among men were observed in the province of Lorestan. In 2015, the lowest mortality rates in women and men were in the province of Tehran. The highest mortality rates in women were in Hormozgan, and in men were in Golestan province. CONCLUSION: The mortality rate due to appendicitis has declined at national and provincial levels in Iran. Understanding the causes of differences across provinces and the trend over years can be useful in priority setting for policy makers to inform preventive actions to further decrease mortality from appendicitis.

Geriatric patients undergoing appendectomy have increased risk of intraoperative perforation and/or abscess.

BACKGROUND: The number of geriatric patients is expected to grow 3-fold over the next 30 years, and as many as 50% of the surgeries done in the United States may occur in geriatric patients. Geriatric patients often have increased comorbidities and more often present in a delayed manner for acute appendicitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes between geriatric patients and younger patients undergoing appendectomy, hypothesizing that geriatric patients will have a higher risk of abscess and/or perforation, conversion to open surgery, postoperative intra-abdominal abscess, and 30-day readmission. METHODS: The 2016 to 2017 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Procedure Targeted Appendectomy database was queried for patients with preoperative image findings consistent with acute appendicitis. Geriatric patients (age ≥65 years old) were compared with younger patients (age <65 years old). A multivariable logistic regression model was used for analysis. RESULTS: From 21,586 patients undergoing appendectomy, 2,060 (9.5%) were geriatric patients. Compared with the younger cohort, geriatric patients were less likely to have leukocytosis (59.0% vs 65.8%, P < .001) and more likely to have a tumor and/or malignancy involving the appendix on final pathology (2.0% vs 0.8%, P < .001), an unplanned laparoscopic conversion to open surgery (4.2% vs 1.5%, P < .001), and 30-day readmission (7.0% vs 3.3%, P < .001). Geriatric patients had a longer median length of stay (2 vs 1 days, P < .001) and higher mortality rate (0.5% vs <0.1%, P < .001). After adjusting for covariates, there was an increased associated risk of intraoperative abscess and/or perforation (odds ratio 2.23, 2.01-2.48, P < .001) and postoperative intra-abdominal abscess (odds ratio 1.43, 1.12-1.83, P = .005) but no difference in associated risk for mortality (odds ratio 2.56, 0.79-8.25, P = .116), compared with the younger cohort. CONCLUSION: Nearly 10% of laparoscopic appendectomies are done on geriatric patients with geriatric patients having a higher rate of conversion to open surgery and tumor and/or malignancy on final pathology. Geriatric patients have an associated increased risk of intraoperative perforation and/or abscess and postoperative intra-abdominal abscess but have similar risk for mortality compared with nongeriatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy.

Laparoscopic versus open approach for diffuse peritonitis from appendicitis ethiology: a subgroup analysis from the Physiological parameters for Prognosis in Abdominal Sepsis (PIPAS) study.

Diffuse peritonitis represents a life-threatening complication of acute appendicitis (AA). Whether laparoscopy is a safe procedure and presents similar results compared with laparotomy in case of complicated AA is still a matter of debate. The objective of this study is to compare laparoscopic (LA) and open appendectomy (OA) for the management of diffuse peritonitis caused by AA. This is a prospective multicenter cohort study, including 223 patients with diffuse peritonitis from perforated AA, enrolled in the Physiological parameters for Prognosis in Abdominal Sepsis (PIPAS) study from February to May 2018. Two groups were created: LA = 78 patients, mean age 42.51 ± 22.14 years and OA = 145 patients, mean age 38.44 ± 20.95 years. LA was employed in 34.98% of cases. There was no statically significant difference between LA and OA groups in terms of intra-abdominal abscess, postoperative peritonitis, rate of reoperation, and mortality. The wound infection rate was higher in the OA group (OR 21.63; 95% CI 3.46-895.47; P = 0.00). The mean postoperative hospital stay in the LA group was shorter than in the OA group (6.40 ± 4.29 days versus 7.8 ± 5.30 days; P = 0.032). Although LA was only used in one-third of cases, it is a safe procedure and should be considered in the management of patients with diffuse peritonitis caused by AA, respecting its indications.

Comparison of Surgical Intervention and Mortality for Seven Surgical Emergencies in England and the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences between England and the USA in the rate of surgical intervention and in-hospital mortality for 7 index surgical emergencies. BACKGROUND: Considerable international variation exists in the configuration, provision, and outcomes of emergency healthcare. METHODS: Patients aged <80 years hospitalized with 1 of 7 surgical emergencies (ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, appendicitis, perforated esophagus, peptic ulcer, small bowel or large bowel, and incarcerated or strangulated hernias) were identified from English Hospital Episode Statistics and the USA Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2006-2012) and classified by whether they received a corrective surgical intervention. The rates of surgical intervention and population mortality were compared between England and the USA after adjustment for patient demographic factors. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2012, there were 136,047 admissions in English hospitals and 1,863,626 admissions in US hospitals due to the index surgical emergencies.Proportion of patients receiving no surgical intervention, for all 7 conditions was greater in the England (OR 4.25, 1.55, 8.53, 1.92, 2.06, 2.42, 1.75) and population in-hospital mortality was greater in England (OR 1.34, 1.67, 2.22, 1.65, 2.7, 4.46, 3.22) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, appendicitis, perforated esophagus, peptic ulcer, small bowel or large bowel, and incarcerated or strangulated hernias respectively.In England (where follow-up was available), lack of utilization of surgery was also associated with increased in-hospital and long-term mortality for all conditions. CONCLUSION: England and US hospitals differ in the threshold for surgical intervention, which may be associated with increases in mortality in England for these 7 general surgical emergencies.

Management and Outcomes of Acute Appendicitis in the Presence of Cirrhosis: A Nationwide Analysis.

Best management for acute appendicitis (AA) in adults with liver cirrhosis is controversial and needs more investigation. We aimed to examine the impact of different treatment modalities on outcomes in this complex patient population. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2012 to 2014 was queried to identify AA patients with no cirrhosis, compensated cirrhosis (CC), and decompensated cirrhosis (DC). Each cohort was further stratified according to the treatment type: nonoperative management, open appendectomy, and laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). Chi-square, ANOVA, and binary regression analyses were used to determine differences between groups and risk factors for mortality and complications, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. A total of 108,289 AA patients were analyzed; of those, 304 with CC and 134 with DC were identified. Compared with CC and no cirrhosis, DC patients had significantly higher mortality, higher cost, and longer hospital length of stay. LA is accompanied by higher survival, lower cost, shorter duration of hospitalization, and lower incidence of complications across all groups. We conclude that LA is the best management strategy for AA in cirrhotic patients. Even in decompensated cirrhotics, which are associated with worse clinical outcomes, LA is still a favorable option over open appendectomy and nonoperative management.

HIV Infection: Its Impact on Patients with Appendicitis in Botswana.

BACKGROUND: To compare the presentation, management, and outcome of HIV-positive patients with appendicitis to those of HIV-negative patients with appendicitis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The literature is limited regarding the impact of HIV infection on patients with appendicitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with appendicitis and known HIV status admitted to Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana, aged 13 years and greater was performed from January 2013 to December 2015. Data on patient demographics, presentation, laboratory findings, management, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 295 patients with appendicitis and known HIV status were identified, of which 119 (40.3%) were HIV positive. The median [IQR] ages for HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients were 34 [29-42] and 26 [20-33] years, respectively. The male-to-female ratio for the same two groups was 0.8:1 and 1.4:1, respectively. Presenting symptoms, signs, and white blood cell count were similar in both groups. HIV-positive patients had significantly higher overall (4.2 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.010) and postoperative (4.4 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.024) mortality rates. There was no significant difference in the total complication rate between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients (13.2 vs. 7.9%, p = 0.192). Compared to HIV-positive patients with a CD4 count ≥200, patients with a CD4 count <200 have a significantly higher postoperative mortality rate (17.6 vs. 1.4%, p = 0.023) and a trend toward a higher total postoperative complication rate (31.3 vs. 10.8%, p = 0.054). CONCLUSION: Within our setting, HIV infection, particularly with a CD4 <200, was correlated with significantly higher mortality in patients with acute appendicitis.

Delta neutrophil index as a prognostic marker in emergent abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Delta neutrophil index (DNI) is the fraction of circulating immature granulocytes provided by a routine, complete blood cell analyzer. It is known to be a useful prognostic marker of sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of DNI in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients who had undergone emergent surgery for an acute abdomen. METHODS: A total of 694 patients who had visited the emergency room for acute abdominal pain and undergone emergent abdominal surgery from May 2015 to September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings on the day of hospital visit, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and 30-day mortality were investigated. RESULTS: In the analysis of patients who had undergone an operation for acute peritonitis, the DNI was a good predictor for predicting 30-day mortality rate (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.826). It was not inferior to other laboratory values, including activated partial thromboplastin time (AUC: 0.729), C-reactive protein (AUC: 0.727), albumin (AUC: 0.834), prothrombin time (AUC: 0.816), and creatinine (AUC: 0.837) known to be associated with sepsis. Patients with high DNI displayed higher incidence of bacteremia and sepsis, longer hospital stay, higher postoperative complication rate, and higher 30-day mortality rate than patients with low DNI. Among patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, the DNI was a useful marker for differentiating appendiceal perforation. CONCLUSION: The DNI was a practical and useful marker for predicting the prognosis of patients who needed emergent abdominal surgery.

Comparison of conservative versus surgical therapy for acute appendicitis with abscess in five German hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of initially conservative therapy compared to immediate appendectomy for acute appendicitis with abscess in terms of medical and economic outcomes. METHODS: Of all the patients treated for appendicitis from January 2009 to December 2017 in five German hospitals, 240 were included in the study. Fifty-three patients received conservative (CON) and 195 patients received surgical (SUR) therapy as initial treatment. RESULTS: Length of stay was similar (12.5 days in CON vs. 13.3 days in SUR, p = 0.530). Readmission rate was higher in the conservative group (54.7% vs. 6.2%, p < 0.001). The majority (53.7%) of the 41 operations in CON group were appendectomies (22 procedures), 1 (4.5%) of them was in the first hospital stay because of persisting symptoms, 21 (95.5%) after a recovery interval. Seven (33.3%) of the recovery appendectomies were performed due to persisting or recurrent symptoms and 14 (66.7%) due to the request of patient. Twenty-one patients (39.6%) in the CON group did not need surgery. The rates of complication-related operations per patient (0.04 versus 0.58, p < 0.001), conversions of surgical technique (1.9% vs. 34.9%, p = 0.0287), and extended resections (1.9% vs. 31.3%, p < 0.001) were higher in SUR group. Furthermore, morbidity, hospital costs, and loss in quality of life were significantly higher in the surgical group (17.0% vs. 66.2%, p < 0.001; € 5044 vs. € 8457, p < 0.001, and 4.3 days vs. 7.5 days, p < 0.001, CON vs. SUR). CONCLUSION: Initially, conservative treatment for acute appendicitis with abscess is preferable to immediate surgical treatment in reduction of morbidity, hospital costs, and loss in quality of life.

Morbidity and Mortality in Appendicitis in the Elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the factors affecting the morbidity and mortality in patients over 65 years of age who underwent appendectomy. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, Turkey, from November 2014 to March 2017. METHODOLOGY: Medical records of the patients over 65 years of age with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomy during the study period were retrospectively analyzed. Age and complications were noted. The reviewed outcome measures were perforation rates, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-eight patients over 65 years of age presenting with abdominal pain were hospitalized for diagnosis and treatment. Appendectomy was performed in 112 patients. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 70 of these patients. Perforation rate and morbidity were 40% and 28%, respectively. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients show a high perforation rate and morbidity after appendectomy.

Emergency General Surgery-A Misnomer?

Emergency general surgery (EGS) is defined as the urgent assessment and treatment of nontrauma, general surgical emergencies involving adults. Acute surgical emergencies often represent the most common reason for hospital admission with diagnoses, including bowel obstruction and appendicitis. EGS is a growing surgical subspecialty that includes both operative and nonoperative management of acutely ill patients. We sought to assess the burden of nonoperative care in EGS patients at our academic medical center. This study was conducted by retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients entered into the Duke EGS Registry between July 1, 2016 and September 10, 2017. Fifty-six per cent (n = 771) of patients in the Duke EGS Registry (n = 1377) were managed nonoperatively as compared with 44 per cent (n = 606) who were managed operatively. Nonoperative management of disease represents a large subset of EGS and, therefore, needs further investigation to improve processes, outcomes, and standardization of care.

Management of Appendicitis Globally Based on Income of Countries (MAGIC) Study.

BACKGROUND: Our aim is to compare the management approaches and clinical outcomes of acute appendicitis according to annual Gross National Income per Capita (GNI/Capita) of countries. METHODS: Consecutive patients who were diagnosed to have acute appendicitis from 116 centers of 44 countries were prospectively studied over a 6-month period (April-September 2016). Studied variables included demography, Alvarado score, comorbidities, radiological and surgical management, histopathology, and clinical outcome. Data were divided into three groups depending on the GNI/Capita. RESULTS: A total of 4271 patients having a mean (SD) age of 33.4 (17.3) years were studied. Fifty-five percent were males. Two hundred and eighty patients were from lower-middle-income (LMI) countries, 1756 were from upper-middle-income (UMI) countries, and 2235 were from high-income (HI) countries. Patients in LMI countries were significantly younger (p < 0.0001) and included more males (p < 0.0001). CT scan was done in less than 8% of cases in LMI countries, 23% in UMI countries, and 38% in HI countries. Laparoscopy was performed in 73% of the cases in the HI countries, while open appendectomy was done in more than 60% of cases in both LMI and UMI countries (p < 0.0001). The longest mean hospital stay was in the UMI group (4.84 days). There was no significant difference in the complication or death rates between the three groups. The overall death rate was 3 per 1000 patients. CONCLUSIONS: There is great variation in the presentation, severity of disease, radiological workup, and surgical management of patients having acute appendicitis that is related to country income. A global effort is needed to address this variation. Individual socioeconomic status could be more important than global country socioeconomic status in predicting clinical outcome.

Population-level outcomes of early versus delayed appendectomy for acute appendicitis using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of appendectomy for acute appendicitis has been analyzed with mixed results. We hypothesized that delayed appendectomy would be associated with increased 30-d morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all patients undergoing nonelective appendectomy from 2012 to 2015 with a postoperative diagnosis of appendicitis. Patients were grouped based on hospital day (HD) of operation. Primary outcomes included 30-d mortality and major complications. Logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of major morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2015, 112,122 patients underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Appendectomies performed on HD 3 had significantly worse outcomes as demonstrated by increased 30-d mortality (0.6%) and all major postoperative complications (8%) in comparison with operations taking place on HD 1 (0.1%; 3.4%) or HD 2 (0.1%, P < 0.001; 3.6%, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, open operations had significantly higher mortality and major postoperative complications, including organ/space surgical site infections (4.6% open versus 2.1% laparoscopic; P < 0.001). Patients with decreased baseline physical status by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status class had the worst outcomes (1.5% mortality; 14% major complications) when operation was delayed to HD 3. Logistic regression revealed higher American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status class and open operations as predictors of major complications; however, HD was not (P = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program demonstrate similar outcomes of appendectomy for acute appendicitis when the operation is performed on HD 1 or 2; however, outcomes are significantly worse for appendectomies delayed until HD 3. Increased complications in this group are likely not attributable to HD of operation, but rather decreased baseline health status and procedure type.

Two versus five days of antibiotics after appendectomy for complex acute appendicitis (APPIC): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common indications for emergency surgery. In patients with a complex appendicitis, prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended after appendectomy. There is no consensus regarding the optimum duration of antibiotics. Guidelines propose 3 to 7 days of treatment, but shorter courses may be as effective in the prevention of infectious complications. At the same time, the global issue of increasing antimicrobial resistance urges for optimization of antibiotic strategies. The aim of this study is to determine whether a short course (48 h) of postoperative antibiotics is non-inferior to current standard practice of 5 days. METHODS: Patients of 8 years and older undergoing appendectomy for acute complex appendicitis - defined as a gangrenous and/or perforated appendicitis or appendicitis in presence of an abscess - are eligible for inclusion. Immunocompromised or pregnant patients are excluded, as well as patients with a contraindication to the study antibiotics. In total, 1066 patients will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the experimental treatment arm (48 h of postoperative intravenously administered (IV) antibiotics) or the control arm (5 days of postoperative IV antibiotics). After discharge from the hospital, patients participate in a productivity-cost-questionnaire at 4 weeks and a standardized telephone follow-up at 90 days after appendectomy. The primary outcome is a composite endpoint of infectious complications, including intra-abdominal abscess (IAA) and surgical site infection (SSI), and mortality within 90 days after appendectomy. Secondary outcomes include IAA, SSI, restart of antibiotics, length of hospital stay (LOS), reoperation, percutaneous drainage, readmission rate, and cost-effectiveness. The non-inferiority margin for the difference in the primary endpoint rate is set at 7.5% (one-sided test at ɑ 0.025). Both per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses will be performed. DISCUSSION: This trial will provide evidence on whether 48 h of postoperative antibiotics is non-inferior to a standard course of 5 days of antibiotics. If non-inferiority is established, longer intravenous administration following appendectomy for complex appendicitis can be abandoned, and guidelines need to be adjusted accordingly. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register, NTR6128 . Registered on 20 December 2016.