Role of cellular indices in predicting post-appendectomy abscess in children.

Up to 20% of advanced appendicitis cases can be complicated by postoperative abscesses, adding morbidity and mortality and prolonging hospital stays. This study examines the utility of two cellular indices as predictors of post-appendectomy abscess compared to cell counts. A diagnostic study was conducted on patients <15 years old who underwent appendectomy at a pediatric hospital between 2021 and 2022 (Reg. 2023/390894). Preoperative values of leukocytes, neutrophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR= neutrophils/lymphocytes), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR= platelets/lymphocytes) were compared between patients with post-appendectomy abdominal abscess (PAA) and those without this complication (NPAA). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to establish the predictive capacity of each parameter for PAA. A total of 89 patients with PAA and 93 NPAA children were included.