Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis

Abstract

Although appendicitis is the leading cause of an acute surgical abdomen in children, many areas of controversy exist in diagnosis and medical and surgical management of this condition. Written in a practical, easy-to-use format, Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis provides a thorough ovewithrview of these debated issues, careful to include perspectives on every aspect of care. The book begins with an introductory framework that examines the history of pediatric appendicitis, the epidemiology of disease, defining a complicated diagnosis, the role and efficacy of laboratories in diagnosis, and use and overuse of radiographic imaging for appendicitis. Later chapters cover antibiotic selection, surgical approaches to appendicitis, non-operative management of acute and perforated appendicitis, discussion of potential complications, as well as appendicitis in special pediatric situations like malignancy and other instances of immune suppression. Each chapter follows a similar format, beginning with clinical vignettes and concluding with pearls and pitfalls to provide readers with necessary clinical grounding and context which to examine each of these areas of current controversy. A unique, first-of-its-kind book, Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis is an ideal resource for pediatric surgeons, interventional radiologists, emergency room specialists, and all providers and surgeons that care for children with appendicitis. -- 1. History and epidemiology of pediatric appendicitis / Guillermo Ares and Catherine J. Hunter -- 2. Defining the disease : uncomplicated versus complicated appendicitis / Christie Buonpane and Seth Goldstein -- 3. Making the diagnosis : the use of clinical features and scoring systems / Young Mee Choi and Steven Moulton -- 4. The role and efficacy of laboratories in the diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis / Colin Martin and Raoud Marayati -- 5. Diagnostic imaging for pediatric appendicitis / Dalya M. Ferguson, K. Tinsley Anderson, and KuoJen Tsao -- 6. Selection and timing of antibiotics for the management of appendicitis / Christopher Gayer and Michelle V.L. Nguyen -- 7. Non-operative management of uncomplicated appendicitis / Leo Andrew Benedict and Shawn D. St. Peter -- 8. Non-operative management of complicated appendicitis / Emily D. Dubina and Steven L. Lee -- 9. Interventional radiology as a therapeutic option for complicated appendicitis / Marcus Jarboe and Sara Smolinski-Zhao -- 10. Timing of appendectomy for acute appendicitis : can surgery wait? / Shawn J. Rangel -- 11. Surgical techniques in pediatric appendectomy / Natasha R. Ahuja and David H. Rothstein -- 12. The controversial role of interval appendectomy / Alexander W. Peters and Demetri J. Merianos -- 13. Diagnostic and management strategies for postoperative complications in pediatric appendicitis / Cynthia Susai, Julie Monteagudo, and Francois I. Luks -- 14. Disparities in the management of appendicitis / Randi L. Lassiter and Robyn M. Hatley -- 15. Appendicitis : unusual complications and outcomes / John Aiken -- 16. Management of acute appendicitis in special pediatric situations : malignancy, neutropenia, and other etiologies of immune supression / Timothy B. Lautz.