Effect and safety of Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy in treating patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis / 中国内镜杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effect and safety of endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) in treating patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Methods Patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis were enrolled and divided into ERAT group and LA group received laparoscopic appendectomy. Then compare treat-ment condition, complications and follow-up of the two groups. Results ERAT were completed successfully in all the patients in ERAT group, while one patient underwent a reversion to open appendectomy for technical difficulties in LA group. Mean operative time was (49.7 ± 18.2) min for ERAT group and (68.9 ± 25.9) min for LA group (P <0.05). Fever relief time (1.3 ± 0.5) d, WBC normalization time (2.0 ± 0.9) d, mean bed time (0.1 ± 0.2) d and mean hospital stay (3.3 ± 1.6) d for ERAT group were significantly lower than LA group (P <0.05). 14 patients with intra-luminal appendicoliths (7 of massive appendicoliths, 4 of broken appendicoliths and 3 of broken appendicoliths with luminal stenosis) underwent endoscopic lithotomy successfully in ERAT group, resulting in a success rate of 100.00%. One patient presented perforation after ERAT was cured with conservative treatment. During the follow-up of at least 1/2 year, the rate of recurrence was 10.00% in ERAT group. 1 patient (5.00%) underwent LA at the 5th month after ERAT during the follow-up. Conclusion ERAT is an effective and safe therapy in treating patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis with advantages of minimal invasiveness and quick recovery. Uncomplicated acute appendicitis with appendicoliths and/or luminal stenosis are the most suitable indications for ERAT.