To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided puncture drainage for pediatric appendiceal abscess and summarize operational experience from January 2022 to June 2025.
Key Findings:
90 children underwent ultrasound-guided puncture drainage; 41 received conservative treatment.
Ultrasound-guided drainage resulted in faster decrease in white blood cell count (7.0 ± 2.0 vs. 11.0 ± 3.0 × 10^9/L; P < 0.05) and C-reactive protein levels (7.3 ± 2.1 vs. 11.3 ± 3.1 mg/L; P < 0.05).
Shorter duration of abdominal pain (4.3 ± 1.5 vs. 5.8 ± 1.3 days; P < 0.05) and quicker resolution of abscess (11.3 ± 1.2 vs. 15.7 ± 1.1 days; P < 0.05) compared to conservative treatment.
Minimal trauma and lower rates of early and late postoperative complications were observed.
Interpretation:
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for pediatric appendiceal abscess in cooperative children, particularly under local anesthesia.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce bias, potentially affecting the reliability of the results.
Single-institution study limits generalizability of findings to broader populations.
Conclusion:
Physicians should master the indications and specific techniques for ultrasound-guided drainage of different types of appendiceal abscesses to ensure effective treatment.
