Abstract

Purpose: Interval appendectomy of appendicular masses is still a controversial subject, but recent studies have adopted the view that apendectomy is unnecessary after conservative treatment. The aim of our study is to determine the necessity of interval appendectomy after a successful conservative treatment of the patients who have appendicular masses and have not applied appendectomy.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2000-December 2010, data of the 18 patients who have diagnosed with appendicular mass were analyzed. Age, sex, duration of symptoms, operation findings, the intervention, early complications and follow-up data were examined.

Results: A total of 18 patients, 8 female and 10 male were referred to our emergency service with clinical findings of acute appendicitis. The patients who have diagnosed appendicular masses with physical examination and radiological findings have interned to the hospital and conservative treatment started. We applied to patients combined dual antibiotic treatment. After discharge they have followed by policlinic follow-up. One of the patients has been operated because of unregressed clinical findings. One of them have been operated in another center because of recurrence 3 months later. During the mean 6 years (6 months to 10 years) follow-up no recurrence occured in 16 patients (88.8%).

Conclusion: Interval apendectomy is not necessary for the patients who has succesfully treated conservatively for appendicular masses and has not had recurrent symptoms.

Key words: Acute appendicitis, appendectomy, appendicular mass, interval appendectomy