Comparative evaluation of ultrasound-guided versus operative drainage for pediatric appendicular abscess: Effectiveness, safety and clinical outcomes

TL;DR

The study compares two treatments for appendicular abscess in children and finds that ultrasound-guided drainage is safer and more effective.

Contribution

Demonstrates that ultrasound-guided drainage is a superior alternative to operative drainage for pediatric appendicular abscess.

Findings

Ultrasound-guided drainage resulted in lower pain scores, body temperature, and white blood cell counts.

Patients undergoing ultrasound-guided drainage had shorter hospital stays.

Operative drainage was associated with more post-procedural complications.

Abstract

The optimal management of appendicular abscess in children remains a challenge, with ongoing debate over the most effective treatment
approach. Therefore, it is of interest to compare ultrasound-guided drainage (UD) and operative drainage (OD) for the treatment of
appendicular abscess in children. Sixty patients were analyzed, with 30 undergoing OD and 30 undergoing UD. The UD group had significantly
lower pain scores, body temperature and white blood cell counts, along with a shorter hospital stay compared with the OD group. Post-procedural
complications were more frequent in the OD group. Thus, we show that ultrasound-guided drainage is a safe and superior alternative to
operative drainage for appendicular abscess in children.