Is pelvic ultrasound associated with an increased time to appendectomy in pediatric appendicitis?

BACKGROUND

Appendicitis is a common pediatric condition requiring urgent surgical intervention to prevent complications. Pelvic ultrasound (US) as a diagnostic aid has become increasingly common. Despite its advantages, evidence suggests US can lead to delayed definitive management.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to test the hypothesis that US is associated with an increased time to appendectomy in children with acute appendicitis.

METHODS

A chart review was conducted of all children aged 0-17 years who presented to the pediatric emergency department (ED) with a discharge diagnosis of appendicitis. The primary outcome variable was the interval between initial evaluation to appendectomy between patients who received an US and those who did not.

RESULTS

Of 662 cases included, 424 patients (64%) underwent a pelvic US and 238 patients underwent an appendectomy without US. Median time interval from initial evaluation in the ED by a physician to appendectomy among patients who received an US was 9.7 h (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.8-15.0 h) compared with 5.5 h (IQR: 3.8-8.6 h) among patients who did not receive an US (Mann-Whitney, p < 0.001). The increased time to appendectomy in patients who received an US was dependent on the patient being female and presenting to the ED after hours (univariate analysis of variance test for interaction, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Female pediatric patients and those presenting after hours that undergo an US have a significantly increased time to appendectomy compared with those who do not undergo diagnostic imaging.