Conservative management of appendix mass in children

Abstract

Of 834 children who had appendicectomy for appendicitis 77 (9.2%) had developed an appendix mass when first seen. Under 6 years of age 25% of appendicitis patients had an appendix mass at presentation and almost 60% of the masses seen were in patients under six years of age. Forty three of the 77 masses (55%) were palpable only under anaesthesia. The masses were all initially managed conservatively by bed rest, intravenous fluids and intravenous antibiotics. All but eight (10%) of the 77 patients responded to this form of treatment. Interval appendicectomy was planned for a date 4 weeks following discharge. The overall total average bed stay including interval appendicectomy was 16 days. There were no late complications or relaparotomies.