Comparison of Medical and Surgical Treatment of Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis in Children
Appendicitis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Appendicitis
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- first episode of appendicitis
- Pain < 48 hours
- White blood cell count < 18,000
- temperature < 103º F
- radiographic evidence of acute appendicitis on ultrasound or CT without evidence of perforation
- appendiceal diameter < 11 mm
- ability to take oral antibiotics
Exclusion Criteria:
- Prior antibiotic treatment for appendicitis
- presence of medical condition prohibiting surgical therapy
- radiographic or clinical evidence of abscess or perforation
- appendiceal mass, positive pregnancy test
- other diagnosis equally as likely as appendicitis
- pain for ≥ 48 hours, white blood cell count ≥ 18,000, temperature ≥ 103º F, or appendiceal diameter ≥ 11 mm
- inability to take oral antibiotics.
Sites / Locations
- New York University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Medical Therapy
Surgical Intervention
Subjects in the medical therapy arm will be treated with piperacillin/tazobactam for at least 24 hours. Ciprofloxacin/metronidazole will be used in penicillin-allergic patients. Subjects will be maintained on nothing by mouth with intravenous fluids for at least 12 hours. Subjects will be transitioned to oral antibiotics when their WBC is normal, they have a decrease in CRP by ≥ 15%, and they have been afebrile for 24 hours on IV antibiotics.
Subjects in the surgical treatment arm will receive intravenous antibiotics until the time of operation, and will be maintained on intravenous fluids and no oral intake until they undergo appendectomy as per standard of care. Appendectomy will occur within 24 hours of enrollment. Subjects in the surgical treatment arm will receive post-operative antibiotics as per standard of care.