Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis, 1st ed. 2019

Although appendicitis is the leading cause of an acute surgical abdomen in children, many areas of controversy exist in diagnosis and medical and surgical management of this condition. Written in a practical, easy-to-use format, Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis provides a thorough overview of these debated issues, careful to include perspectives on every aspect of care. The book begins with an introductory framework that examines the history of pediatric appendicitis, the epidemiology of disease, defining a complicated diagnosis, the role and efficacy of laboratories in diagnosis, and  use and overuse of radiographic imaging for appendicitis. Later chapters cover antibiotic selection, surgical approaches to appendicitis, non-operative management of acute and perforated appendicitis, discussion of potential complications, as well as appendicitis in special pediatric situations like malignancy and other instances of immune suppression. Each chapter follows a similar format, beginning with clinical vignettes and concluding with pearls and pitfalls to provide readers with necessary clinical grounding and context with which to examine each of these areas of current controversy.

A unique, first-of-its-kind book, Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis is an ideal resource for pediatric surgeons, interventional radiologists, emergency room specialists, and  all providers and surgeons that care for children with appendicitis.  

Chapter 1

History and Epidemiology of Pediatric Appendicitis

Chapter 2

Defining the Disease: Uncomplicated versus Complicated Appendicitis

Chapter 3

Making the Diagnosis: The Use of Clinical Features and Scoring Systems

Chapter 4

The Role and Efficacy of Laboratories in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis

Chapter 5

Diagnostic Imaging for Pediatric Appendicitis

Chapter 6

Selection and Timing of Antibiotics for the Management of Appendicitis

Chapter 7

Non-Operative Management of Uncomplicated Appendicitis

Chapter 8

Non-Operative Management of Complicated Appendicitis

Chapter 9

Interventional Radiology as a Therapeutic Option for Complicated Appendicitis

Chapter 10

Timing of Appendectomy for Acute Appendicitis: Can Surgery Wait?

Chapter 11

Surgical Techniques in Pediatric Appendectomy

Chapter 12

The Controversial Role of Interval Appendectomy

Chapter 13

Diagnostic and Management Strategies for Postoperative Complications in Pediatric Appendicitis

Chapter 14

Disparities in the Management of Appendicitis

Chapter 15

Appendicitis- Unusual Complications and Outcomes

Chapter 16

Management of Acute Appendicitis in Special Pediatric Situations: Malignancy, Neutropenia, and Other Etiologies of Immune Suppression.

Catherine J. Hunter, MD, FACS, FAAP

Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics

Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

Department of Pediatric Surgery

Chicago, IL

USA

Designed to explore the unique controversies in the diagnosis, medical and surgical management of pediatric appendicitis.

Provides a comprehensive, up–to-date overview of these much-debated issues

Written by experts in the field