OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of abdominal drainage at appendectomy for complicated appendicitis in children.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Although an abdominal drain placement at appendectomy is an option for reducing or preventing postoperative infectious complication, there is controversy regarding its effect for complicated appendicitis.

METHOD

The study used the data on appendectomies for complicated appendicitis in children (≤15 years old) that were operated in 2015 and registered in the National Clinical Database, a nationwide surgical database in Japan. One-to-two propensity score matching was performed to compare postoperative outcomes between patients with and without drainage at appendectomy.

RESULT

The study included 1762 pediatric appendectomies for complicated appendicitis, 458 of which underwent abdominal drainage at appendectomy. In the propensity-matched analysis, the drainage group showed a significant increase in wound dehiscence [drain (-) vs drain (+); 0.3% vs 2.4%, P = 0.001], and postoperative hospital stay (median: 7 days vs 9 days, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of any complications, organ space surgical site infection, re-admission, and reoperation.Subgroup analyses in perforated appendicitis and perforated appendicitis with abscess, and open and laparoscopic appendectomy all demonstrated that drain placement was not associated with a reduction in any complication or organ space surgical site infection. However, it was significantly associated with longer hospital stays.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that an abdominal drain placement at appendectomy for complicated appendicitis among children has no advantage and can be harmful for preventing postoperative complications.