Non-operative management of uncomplicated appendicitis in children, why not? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background This study aims to provide a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing non-operative management (NOM) and operative management (OM) in a pediatric population with uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Methods A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), and Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL from inception to June 2024. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, excluding studies involving adult patients and/or participants with complicated appendicitis. The variables considered were treatment complications, treatment efficacy during index admission and one-year follow-up, length of hospital stay (LOS), quality of life, and presence of appendicoliths. Results Three RCTs involving 269 participants (134 antibiotics/135 appendectomy) were included. There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatments in terms of complication risk (combined RD = - 0.03; 95% CI - 0.11; 0.06, p = 0.54), even including complications related to NOM failure. The risk of complication-free treatment success rate in the antibiotic group is lower than in the surgery group (combined RD = - 0.05; 95% CI - 0.13; - 0.04; p = 0.29). In patients without appendicolith, the combined risk difference of treatment success between NOM and OM was not statistically significant - 0.01 (IC - 0.17; 0.16; p value: 0.93). There is no statistical difference in terms of efficacy at 1 year, between NOM and OM (combined RD = - 0.06; 95% CI - 0.21; 0.09), p = 0.44). The LOS in the NOM group is significantly longer than in the OM group (difference of median = - 19.90 h; 95% CI - 29.27; - 10.53, p < .0001). Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence that NOM is safe and feasible for children with uncomplicated appendicitis and, in the group of patients without appendicolith, it is associated with a similar success rate to OM. However, more high-quality studies with adequate power and construction are still needed.