The necessity of a routine interval appendectomy necessary in adults? Initial experience

Purpose: The traditional management of a periappendiceal abscess or a perforated appendicitis has been initial conservative treatment, followed by an interval appendectomy (IA). However, the necessity of the interval appendectomy has been questioned by an increasing number of studies recently. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of conservative treatment, instead of IA, in managing a perforated appendicitis or a periappendiceal abscess after successful initial conservative treatment. Methods: We prospectively studied 26 out of 80 patients who had been admitted for a perforated appendicitis or a periappendiceal abscess to Chonbuk National University Hospital from March 2005 to December 2007. These 26 patients were initially treated by using conservative treatment instead of surgery. We analyzed these 26 patients' progression and prognosis after treatment. The IAs were conducted at intervals of 6 to 12 wk after colonoscopy when the patient wanted an operation. Results: Twenty-three out of 26 (88.5%, 23/26) patients were improved after initial conservative treatment. Only 3 patients who were not improved were managed surgically. Four out of 23 patients who were relieved by conservative treatment underwent an IA voluntarily at intervals of 6 to 12 wk. Of the remaining 19 patients without IA, 1 patient (5%, 1/19) suffered a recurrence after 6 mo, and an appendectomy was performed. Eighteen (78%, 18/23) patients without an IA have shown no recurrence for 15 mo, and they are still being followed up. Conclusion: We conclude that a routine IA after successful initial conservative treatment for a perforated appendicitis or a periappendiceal abscess seems unnecessary. Those patients should undergo colonoscopy to detect any underlying diseases and to rule out coexistent colorectal cancer.