Abstract

To compare the results of surgical care versus non-operative treatment (NOT) with antibiotics for childhood appendicitis. Methods: From September 2021 to September 2022, this study was conducted in the paediatric surgery department. After receiving informed consent, patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups, making up the 180-person sample size. All kids between the ages of 5 and 15 who had a paediatric appendicitis score (PAS) of 7 or lower were included. Patients having appendicular masses, peritonitis, previous abdominal surgery, or intra-abdominal abscess were disqualified from participating. Children in the NOT group (Group A) received intravenous Meropenem and Metronidazole during 48 hours, followed by 7 days of oral antibiotics. Children in Group B had appendicectomies. If there was abscess formation, peri-appendiceal fluid collection on ultrasonography, development of peritonitis, or recurrence of appendicitis, failure of NOT was labelled. Results: The mean ages in groups A and B were 9.56 ±1.8 years and 10.11 ± 1.8 years, respectively. There were 57 female patients and 123 male ones. Group B had a perfect success rate. 75 patients (83.3%) who received NOT (Group A) had successful outcomes, while 15 patients (16.7%) had failure. Ten patients came within six months, five of whom required surgery within 48 hours and all of whom had appendicoliths. Failure of NOT was associated with increased levels of C reactive protein (p value <0.04) and total leukocyte count (p value <0.0001). Conclusions: The success rate of NOT in this study was 84%, hence a trial of NOT in children with uncomplicated appendicitis should be taken into consideration.

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