Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVE: To determine safety of short in-hospital delays before appendicectomy. BACKGROUND: Short organizational delays before appendicectomy may safely improve provision of acute surgical services. METHODS: The primary endpoint was the rate of complex appendicitis (perforation, gangrene, and/or abscess). The main explanatory variable was timing of surgery, using less than 12 hours from admission as the reference. The first part of this study analyzed primary data from a multicentre study on appendicectomy from 95 centers. The second part combined this data with a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data. RESULTS: The cohort study included 2510 patients with acute appendicitis, of whom 812 (32.4%) had complex findings. Adjusted multivariable binary regression modelling showed that timing of operation was not related to risk of complex appendicitis [12-24 hours odds ratio (OR) 0.98 (P = 0.869); 24-48 hours OR 0.88 (P = 0.329); 48+ hours OR 0.82 (P = 0.317)]. However, after 48 hours, the risk of surgical site infection and 30-day adverse events both increased [adjusted ORs 2.24 (P = 0.039) and 1.71 (P = 0.024), respectively]. Meta-analysis of 11 nonrandomized studies (8858 patients) revealed that delay of 12 to 24 hours after admission did not increase the risk of complex appendicitis (OR 0.97, P = 0.750). CONCLUSIONS: Short delays of less than 24 hours before appendicectomy were not associated with increased rates of complex pathology in selected patients. These organizational delays may aid service provision, but planned delay beyond this should be avoided. However, where optimal surgical systems allow for expeditious surgery, prompt appendicectomy will still aid fastest resolution of pain for the individual patient.

Original publication

DOI

10.1097/SLA.0000000000000492

Type

Journal article

Journal

Ann Surg

Publication Date

05/2014

Volume

259

Pages

894 - 903

Keywords

Acute Disease, Appendectomy, Appendicitis, Cohort Studies, Global Health, Humans, Incidence, Multicenter Studies as Topic, Postoperative Complications, Risk Factors, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome