Outcome of nonsurgically treated pseudoappendicular syndromes in children. Retrospective study of 479 cases
Scheye, T.; Dalens, B.; Vanneuville, G.
Journal de Chirurgie 121(12): 745-750
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-7697 PMID: 6530413 Document Number: 229148
A retrospective study was conducted to assess outcome in 479 children admitted to a surgical pediatric department with pseudo-appendicular syndromes untreated by surgery. A precise diagnosis had been made during the first admission in 186 cases. At a later date, each child had been examined clinically and a detailed history taken, or a questionnaire was sent to the families or treating physician. Replies were received concerning 263 children, including 205 who had had no further episode of abdominal pain, 24 who had had similar atypical bouts of abdominal pain and 34 who had been operated upon at a later date (representing 12.9% of replies). These findings would appear to justify avoidance of surgery, after admission for observation, whenever the atypical symptomatology, negative results of paraclinical investigations and the progression towards total remission of the affection is observed.