Appendicular peritonitis in children. A retrospective review of 34 cases

Abstract

34 cases of appendicular peritonitis in children are reviewed. We observed significant differences between children up to two years old and the others with respect to days before diagnostic (P < 0,001), leukocytes count (P < 0,005), percent of neutrophils (P < 0,001), wound infections (P < 0,025) and length of hospital stay (P < 0,001). The leukocytes count was smoller in children with shock (P < 0,002). The association of aerobes and anaerobes is the most frecuent (79,1 % of the cases); in these cases the most common association was E. Coli and B. Fragilis. The most effective antibacterial treatment appears to be cefoxitin alone or in combination with gentamicin.