Abstract
Objective
This study aims to compare the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) with sub-endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (SERAT) in treating acute appendicitis.
Method
This retrospective study analyzed 40 patients undergoing ERAT and 43 undergoing SERAT for acute appendicitis at Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, China, from November 2021 to November 2023. The analysis included patient clinicopathological characteristics, technical aspects of ERAT and SERAT, clinical success (symptom resolution and laboratory test normalization), length of hospital stay, complications, and recurrence rates.
Results
No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of age, gender, complications, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging data, Alvarado score, etc. (P > 0.05); The SERAT group had significantly shorter operation and intubation times compared to the ERAT group (43.9 min vs. 20.8 min, P < 0.001; 257 sec vs. 103 sec, P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in stent implantation, fecalith removal, postoperative temperature normalization, VAS score 6 hours post-treatment, days to normal temperature and white blood cell count, length of hospital stay, and hospitalization costs (P > 0.05); The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the SERAT group (2.3%) compared to the ERAT group (17.5%) (P = 0.019).
Conclusion
SERAT is an effective and safe approach for the diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis, offering shorter operation and intubation times, a lower recurrence rate, and minimally invasive treatment.