The Optimization of a Low-dose Computed Tomography Protocol in Patients With Suspected Uncomplicated...
AppendicitisOther and Unspecified Acute Appendicitis3 moreThis study focuses on the use of contrast enhanced low-dose CT imaging as a modality to differentiate between uncomplicated and complicated acute appendicitis. Differentiation between the two forms of acute appendicitis is important because according to recent studies their treatment differs. Complicated forms are still treated operatively, while uncomplicated forms can be treated conservatively with antibiotics. In the initial phase of the study, several optimized CT protocols will be created with a phantom model. The two best performing models will be selected for the second phase of the study, in which patients presenting with suspected acute appendicitis will be imaged with the two protocols. All patients participating in the study will be treated operatively, primarily with a laparoscopic appendectomy. Thus histological confirmation for the diagnosis can be achieved and compared with the CT images. The goal of this study is to optimize a well-performing low-dose CT imaging protocol to use in the diagnosis of uncomplicated acute appendicitis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Appendicitis in Children
AppendicitisStudy to find out if MRI can diagnose appendicitis in children as well as or better than CT scan and/or ultrasound scan performed at the same time. No additional contrast material or sedation will be used to perform the MRI.
Evaluation of Local Anesthetic at Incision Site
Post Operative PainAppendicitisPatient will have usual appendectomy surgery with an injection of local or saline at incision site either before or after the incision at random. The clinical hypothesis of this trial is that pediatric patients who undergo a local anesthetic pre-incisional and/or post-incisional will reduce the amount of postoperative pain and therefore reduce the amount of analgesics required to keep the patient satisfied. Primary: To determine if local anesthetic reduces postoperative pain. Secondary: To assess the timing of local anesthetic injection affects postoperative pain.
DIAgnostic iMaging or Observation in Early Equivocal appeNDicitis
AppendicitisThe aim of the study is to evaluate whether patients with early equivocal appendicitis can be observed instead of immediate diagnostic imaging. Half of the patients are randomly assigned to observation group, while the other half will undergo diagnostic imaging. The hypothesis is that resolving appendicitis is common in these patients. Thus, in observation group there will be fewer patients with appendicitis diagnosis and observation reduces the use of diagnostic imaging and surgery.
Polymer Clips Versus Endoloops for Closure of the Appendiceal Stump During Emergency Laparoscopic...
AppendicitisThe investigators propose a study to compare two methods of closing the stump of the appendix during an emergency excision of the appendix using a keyhole approach. One similarly designed study has been undertaken in another institution but there were not enough patients recruited to the study to allow meaningful conclusions to be drawn. Any patient over the age of 16 years whom the investigators suspect to have acute appendicitis will be considered for recruitment to the study. During their exploratory keyhole surgery, if the surgical team feels that excision of the appendix is indicated then the patient will be randomly allocated to either polymer clips or endoloops to the part of the procedure where the stump (base) of the appendix is closed. The main aim is to determine if polymer clips shorten the duration of the operation. The investigators will also determine if there is a difference between the rates of complications, the time spent in hospital and the number of times the participants had to be readmitted to hospital within 30 days.
CT Scan Using IV Contrast Alone for Pediatric Appendicitis
AppendicitisChild1 moreComputed tomography (CT) scan using intravenous contrast (CT IV) as the sole type of contrast material, was studied as one method of evaluating children with suspected appendicitis. We felt that this technique could provide physicians with a faster and better-tolerated alternative to CT imaging which involves patients drinking oral contrast or needing rectal contrast administered. SPECIFIC AIMS To test an imaging protocol using CT IV for the evaluation of suspected appendicitis in children in the setting of a pediatric emergency department (ED). To determine test performance characteristics (specificity, sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy) of CT IV in detecting appendicitis in children.
Short Post-operative Antibacterial Therapy in Complicated Appendicitis: Oral Versus Intravenous...
Acute AppendicitisAcute Appendicitis With Rupture5 moreShort Post-operative Antibacterial Therapy in Complicated Appendicitis: Oral Versus Intravenous is a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing 24 hour intravenous antibacterial therapy to 24 hour oral antibacterial therapy after surgery in complicated appendicitis.
Irrigation Versus Suction in Complicated Acute Appendicitis
AppendicitisAbdominal Abscess3 moreThis study evaluates the intraabdominal abscess rate after laparoscopic appendectomy in complicated acute appendicitis performing irrigation of the abdominal cavity or only suction without lavage.
Clinical Pathway With "Fast-Track" In Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis
Uncomplicated Acute AppendicitisThe aim of this study is to reduce the postoperative hospital stay, without increasing morbidity and mortality postoperative, expressed in terms of rate of complications and readmissions.
Low vs. Standard Dose CT for Appendicitis Trial
AppendicitisTo determine whether low-dose (LD) CT is noninferior to standard-dose (SD) computed tomography (CT) as the first-line imaging test in adolescents and young adults in regard to negative appendectomy rate (NAR).