Antibiotic Duration in Post-appendectomy Abscess
Antibiotic Duration in Post-appendectomy Abscess
This is a randomized study of patients 2-17 years old who are diagnosed with perforated
 appendicitis and develop an abscess after laparoscopy that is subsequently drained. Patients
 will be randomized to either receive an 8-day or a 4-day course of antibiotics. The aim of
 this study is to determine whether duration of antibiotic treatment at discharge demonstrates
 significant differences in clinical outcomes.
The central aim of this study is to determine whether duration of antibiotic treatment at
 discharge demonstrates significant differences in primary and secondary clinical outcomes.
 Specifically, this research aims to determine whether the readmission rate and length of stay
 for pediatric patients diagnosed with perforated appendicitis who form a post-laparoscopic
 abscess that is treated with percutaneous drainage and are treated with a 8-day oral
 antibiotic regimen at discharge is significantly different from those treated with a fixed
 4-day regimen at discharge.

 This study includes patients ages 2-17 years old who present with perforated appendicitis-as
 diagnosed at laparoscopy and photographed as either a hole or as feces in the abdomen-and who
 develop an abscess after laparoscopy that is treated with percutaneous drainage.

 All post-laparoscopic abscess patients will receive the standard of care for antibiotic
 therapy at Phoenix Children's Hospital-IV ceftriaxone/metronidazole-until afebrile and
 tolerating food. All patients will be treated with the PCH standard of care and receive
 in-patient treatment for abscess until afebrile.

 At discharge, study patients will be randomly assigned to either an 8-day
 ampicillin/clavulanate regimen or a 4-day ampicillin/clavulanate regimen. Pediatric patients
 who are allergic to ampicillin will be excluded from the study. Patients will be followed
 thirty days post discharge to assess clinical outcomes.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Age: 2 to 17 years of age

 -  Diagnosis of perforated appendicitis at laparoscopy

 -  Development of a post-appendectomy abscess that is treated with percutaneous drainage.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients who are allergic to ampicillin