Table 2

Diagnostic and management outcomes

CharacteristicOverall
(N=945)
<6 years
(n=141)
6 to <11 years
(n=351)
11 to <19 years
(n=453)
Appendicitis415 (43.9%)39 (27.7%)164 (46.7%)212 (46.8%)
 Perforated29.60%64.10%34.80%19.30%
Operative384 (92.5%)35 (89.7%)147 (89.6%)202 (95.3%)
Non-operative31 (7.5%)4 (10.3%)17 (10.4%)10 (4.7%)
Operative pathology*
 Mild (early/tip/mucosal infiltrate only)101 (26.3%)3 (8.6%)30 (20.4%)68 (33.7%)
 Moderate (full-thickness inflammation)168 (43.8%)9 (25.7%)67 (45.6%)92 (45.5%)
 Severe (gangrene/perforation/necrosis)96 (25.0%)18 (51.4%)43 (29.3%)35 (17.3%)
 Negative (no evidence of appendicitis)19 (4.9%)5 (14.3%)7 (4.8%)7 (3.5%)
No appendicitis530 (56.1%)102 (72.3%)187 (53.3%)241 (53.2%)
 Hospitalised, serial examinations, discharged104 (19.6%)26 (25.5%)40 (21.4%)38 (15.8%)
 No appendicitis, discharge from ED, follow-up confirmed266 (50.2%)39 (38.2%)81 (43.3%)146 (60.6%)
 No appendicitis, discharged, no return visit but no specific follow-up141 (26.6%)32 (31.4%)59 (31.6%)50 (20.7%)
  • *Includes patients with negative appendectomy.