Is Interval Appendectomy Necessary?
Appendicitis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Appendicitis focused on measuring General Surgery
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Under 18 years of age
- Perforated appendicitis where the treating physician chooses to follow the conservative approach rather than performing an immediate appendectomy
Exclusion Criteria:
- Uncertainty about the diagnosis
- The need for laparotomy/laparoscopy for another reason
- Perforated appendicitis with diffuse abdominal fluid on imaging associated with a clinical picture of severe sepsis
- Another medical condition that may affect the decision to operate e.g., inflammatory bowel disease
- A comorbidity or chronic illness that contraindicates the watchful waiting approach, e.g, diabetes or cardiac problems
Sites / Locations
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Conservative Management
Operative Management
Children randomized to conservative management will be seen in the clinic 6-10 weeks after discharge and phoned to follow up every 3 month for a total follow-up of a year. Family will be instructed to come back to the hospital or call the treating physician if the child develops any abdominal pain or fever.
Children randomized to IA will be scheduled for an interval appendectomy 6-10 weeks after discharge, and will be seen in the clinic 6-8 weeks following the interval appendectomy and phoned for follow-up every 3 month for a total of one year.