Introduction
Appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in the pediatric age
group. Appendectomy is curative and associated with low rates of wound
complications. More controversial is the optimal management of
appendicitis in children undergoing treatment for malignancy. In these
patients, appendectomy is often deferred or delayed due to theoretical
concerns for increased risks of wound complications, intra-abdominal
abscess and enteric suture-line dehiscence secondary to treatment
related leukopenia and immune compromise. Whether these risks are
increased, and medical management is superior to appendectomy in
children with appendicitis and concomitant cancer diagnosis/treatment is
unknown.
In light of these concerns we sought to determine if children undergoing
treatment of malignancy had higher odds of developing a mechanical or
infectious wound complication following appendectomy compared to
children without cancer.