iarjmsIARJMSIARJMS2708-3594https://doi.org/10.47310/iarjms.2020.v01i01.029A Retrospective and a Multicenter Analysis of Acute Appendicitis in Children: Complications and Surgical TreatmentFatimaBohlokHibaMerhiMalakZeinddineElianeElKhouryRouweida DanaMD. BassemAbou MerhiFadiIskandaraniDepartment of Pediatrics, Lebanese University-Faculty of Medical Sciences, LebanonDepartment of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, LebanonDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Lebanese University-Faculty of Medical Sciences, LebanonBackground: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the inflammation of the vermicular appendage. It is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain and surgical abdominal emergencies in children. Nowadays and according to literature, the method of treatment remains a dialectical subject. The long delay before admission to hospital is associated with increased rates of perforation. In this study, we evaluate how physicians in Lebanon act in front of acute appendicitis. Materials and Methods: Retrospective, observational, multicenter study on all pediatric patients who underwent appendectomy in three Lebanese hospitals: Nabih Berri Governmental University Hospital, Bahman Hospital and Rafic Hariri University Hospital during year 2017. Results: The study included 102 patients, mean age 10.7 years. Up to 48 Hours of delay, no correlation was found between delay in surgery and the risk of developing a complicated form of the disease such as perforation and peritonitis and postoperative complications up to 30 days after discharge for group 1 (surgery <24 hours) and group 2 (surgery between 24 to 48 hours). In group 1 the complication rate was 13.7% identical to that of group 2 which was 13.68 %. Patients with AA showed a male/female ratio of 0.7 (p <0 .0001). Treatment with antibiotherapy before surgery achieved better outcomes. The treatment option was independent from the clinical presentation. The polled difference in Length of Stay (LOS) showed a trend for shorter LOS in the Immediate Surgery (IS) group. Conclusion: While the complication rate was the same in children who underwent Immediate appendectomy (within the first 24 hours) and patients who were observed and treated with intravenous antibiotics and good hydration followed by delayed appendectomy throughout 24 to 48 hours, Immediate surgery was associated with a shorter hospitalization.