Management of Appendiceal Inflammatory Mass: Nonoperative Treatment, Malignancy Risk, and Surveillance
The American surgeon, cilt.92, sa.9, ss.2378-2386, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 92 Sayı: 9
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1177/00031348261441674
- Dergi Adı: The American surgeon
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2378-2386
- Anahtar Kelimeler: appendiceal inflammatory mass, appendiceal phlegmon, plastron appendicitis, conservative management, Interval appendectomy, colonoscopy, malignancy, occult neoplasms
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
BackgroundThe management of an appendiceal inflammatory mass (historically termed "plastron") is controversial due to debates over optimal treatment strategies and malignancy risk. This 15-year retrospective study compares medical vs surgical outcomes, provides granular malignancy data, and aims to establish a risk-stratified surveillance protocol.Material and MethodsThis STROBE-compliant retrospective study analyzed 79 consecutive patients (2009-2024) with radiologically confirmed appendiceal inflammatory masses at University of Health Sciences, Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital. We performed propensity score-adjusted comparisons between medical (antibiotics ± percutaneous drainage, n = 32) and surgical (n = 47) groups. Outcomes focused on success rates, complications, hospital stay, malignancy (histopathology), and colonoscopic findings.ResultsMedical management was initially successful (68.7%, 22/32), resulting in significantly shorter hospitalization (mean difference 2.8 days, 95% CI: 0.2-5.4, 4.1 ± 2.7 vs 6.9 ± 4.8 days, P = 0.03) and fewer complications (OR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9, 9.3% vs 23.4%, P = 0.04) vs surgery. Interval appendectomy was required in 31.2% (10/32) of medical patients. Malignancies were identified in 15.1% overall (95% CI: 7.9%-24.9%), including 6.2% diagnosed only at interval appendectomy. Colonoscopy was performed in 31.6% (25/79) and detected significant neoplasia in 20.0% (5/25; 95% CI: 8.9%-39.1%), predominantly among clinically high-risk patients.ConclusionConservative management is effective, but the substantial malignancy risk (15.1%) and high colonoscopy yield (19%) in this high-risk tertiary cohort necessitate vigilant surveillance. Consistent with updated screening guidance, we recommend colonoscopic evaluation for patients aged ≥45 and/or those with elevated tumor markers or suspicious imaging, and a lower threshold for interval appendectomy in high-risk phenotypes, supporting a risk-stratified approach.