• Kurt Newman, Todd Ponsky, Kory Kittle, Lorna Dyk, Cheri Throop, Karen Gieseker, Marion Sills, and James Gilbert.
• Department of Surgery, Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
• J. Pediatr. Surg. 2003 Mar 1; 38 (3): 372-9; discussion 372-9.

Background/PurposeTo improve clinical results and resource utilization in the care of appendicitis in children, the authors examined the current practice and outcomes of 30 pediatric hospitals.MethodsThe Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database consists of comparative data from 30 free-standing Children's hospitals. The study population of 3,393 children was derived from the database by selecting the "Diagnosis Related Group Code" for appendicitis (APRDRGv12 164), ages 0 to 17 years, using discharges between October 1, 1999 and September 30, 2000. Data are expressed as the range and median for individual hospital outcomes.ResultsThe nonpositive appendectomy rate ranged from 0 to 17% at the 30 hospitals (median, 2.6%). Ruptured appendicitis varied from 20% to 76% (median, 36.5%). The median length of stay (LOS) for nonruptured appendicitis was 2 days (range, 1.4 to 3.1 days), ruptured appendicitis varied from 4.4 to 11 days (median, 6 days). The median readmission rate within 14 days was 4.3% (0 to 10%). Laparoscopic appendectomy varied from 0 to 95% in the 30 hospitals (mean, 31%) The LOS did not vary significantly in laparoscopic versus open for nonruptured (2.3 v 2.0 days) or ruptured appendicitis (5.5 v 6.2 days). Days on antibiotics for ruptured appendicitis ranged from 4.6 to 7.9 days (median, 5.9 days) Children receiving any study varied from 18% to 89% (median, 69%). Ultrasound scan and computed tomography (CT) were comparable in both nonruptured (13% ultrasound scan v 14%) and ruptured appendicitis (14% ultrasound scan v 21% CT).ConclusionsSignificant variability in practice patterns and resource utilization exists in the management of acute appendicitis in pediatric hospitals. Clinical outcomes could be improved by collaborative initiatives to adopt evidence-based best practices.Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

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