Recurrent abdominal pain before and after appendectomy.
BACKGROUND
Patients with non-inflamed appendix have been reported to have had more hospitalizations and emotional disorders before and after the operation than patients with acute appendicitis.


OBJECTIVE
To compare abdominal pain characteristics, as well as demographic and psychosocial data in children with histologically confirmed appendicitis compared to non-inflamed appendices.


METHODS
Charts of children with suspected appendicitis who had undergone appendectomy were retrospectively reviewed for relevant clinical and laboratory data. The patients or their parents were then contacted by phone and were asked to respond to a detailed questionnaire on abdominal symptoms as well as demographic and psychosocial data.


RESULTS
The study group comprised 156 children: 117 with histologically confirmed appendicitis and 39 with normal appendices. Eighty-two patients (53.2%) were located and interviewed: 62 (54%) with appendicitis and 20 (51%) with normal appendices. Of the 82 children, 16 reported recurrent episodes of abdominal pain before or after surgery: 11 (17.7%) in the appendicitis group and 5 (25%) in the normal appendix group. Only six patients fulfilled the formal criteria for the diagnosis of recurrent abdominal pain: 5 (8%) from the appendicitis group and 1 (5%) from the non-inflamed appendix group (not significant). In addition, no significant statistical differences were found between the groups regarding school performance, behavior and social interaction with peers.


CONCLUSIONS
We could not demonstrate an increased incidence of recurrent abdominal pain, nor could we identify significant psychosocial morbidity in those children undergoing an appendectomy for a non-inflamed appendix.
Shaoul
Ron
R
Department of Pediatrics, Bnei Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. shaoul_r@012.net.il
Ghrayeb
Nabil
N
Hardoff
Daniel M
DM
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies