Early versus delayed appendectomy: A comparison of outcomes

Background

The optimal timing for performing appendectomy in adults remains controversial.

Method

A one-year retrospective review of adult patients with acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomy. The cohort was divided by time-to-intervention into two groups: patients who underwent appendectomy within 8 h (group 1), and those who had surgery after 8 h (group 2). Outcome measures including perioperative morbidity and mortality, post-operative length of stay, and the 30-day readmission rate were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 116 patients who underwent appendectomy met the inclusion criteria: 75 patients (65%) in group 1, and 41 (35%) in group 2. There were no differences between group 1 & 2 in perioperative complications (6.7% vs. 9.8%, P = 0.483), postoperative length of stay (median IQR]; 19.5 11.5–40.5] vs. 20.0 11.25–58.5] hours, P = 0.632), or 30-day readmission rate (2.7% vs. 4.9%, P = 0.543). There were no deaths in either group.

Conclusion

Delayed appendectomy performed more than 8 h was not associated with increased perioperative complications, postoperative length of stay, 30-day readmission rate, or mortality.