METHODS: Pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis admitted to the ED were enrolled in this prospective study. Pre-surgical serum VCAM-1 was tested in children with acute appendicitis within 72 h of symptoms (from day 1 to day 3). Serum VCAM-1 levels were further analyzed and compared between patients with and without complicated appendicitis.
RESULTS: Among the 226 pediatric appendicitis patients, 70 had uncomplicated appendicitis, 138 had complicated appendicitis, and 18 had normal appendices. The mean serum VCAM-1 levels in patients with perforated appendicitis were higher than in those with simple appendicitis (p < 0.001). On day 1 to day 3, the mean VCAM-1 levels in patients with complicated appendicitis were all significantly higher than in those with uncomplicated appendicitis (all p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Serum VCAM-1 levels may be helpful in differentiating uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis in children and could predict appendiceal perforation.
方法:在这项前瞻性研究中纳入疑似阑尾炎的儿科患者。在出现症状72小时内(从第1天到第3天)对急性阑尾炎患儿进行手术前血清VCAM-1测试。进一步分析并比较有无复杂性阑尾炎患者的血清VCAM-1水平。
结果:在226名小儿阑尾炎患者中,70人患有简单的阑尾炎,138人患有复杂的阑尾炎,18例阑尾正常。穿孔性阑尾炎患者的平均血清VCAM-1水平高于单纯性阑尾炎患者(p<0.001)。在第1天至第3天,复杂性阑尾炎患者的平均VCAM-1水平均显着高于非复杂性阑尾炎患者(均p<0.001)。
结论:血清VCAM-1水平可能有助于区分儿童单纯性和复杂性阑尾炎,并可预测阑尾穿孔。