Weekend vs. weekday appendectomy for complicated appendicitis, effects on outcomes and operative approach.

PURPOSE

We hypothesized that laparoscopic (LA) or open appendectomy (OA) outcomes in complicated appendicitis are associated with weekend vs. weekday procedure date.

METHODS

We queried the Kids' Inpatient Database (1997-2012) for complicated (540.0, 540.1) appendicitis treated with LA or OA. Propensity score (PS)-matched analysis compared outcomes associated with weekend vs. weekday LA and OA.

RESULTS

Overall, 103,501 cases of complicated appendicitis were identified. On 1:1 PS-matched analyses of complicated appendicitis, weekday OA had increased wound infection rates (odds ratio: 1.3) vs. weekend OA, p < 0.001. Weekend OA had higher pneumonia rates (1.4) and longer length of stay, but lower home healthcare requirement following discharge vs. weekday OA, p < 0.05. Weekend and weekday LA had no significant outcome differences.

CONCLUSION

On a PS-matched comparison of appendectomies performed for complicated appendicitis on weekends and weekdays, procedure day is associated with different complication rates and resource utilization for OA. For LA, no weekend effect was noted for complicated appendicitis. To ensure the optimal patient care, prospective studies should be sought to identify causes of complications dependent on the day of procedure.