Risk factors for intra-abdominal abscess following laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis: a retrospective cohort study on 2076 patients

Background: Intra-abdominal abscesses (IAA) may develop after laparoscopic appendectomies (LA) for acute appendicitis. The identification of risk factors for postoperative IAA could lead to a decrease in the readmission rate and surgery redoes after LA for acute appendicitis. Materials and methods: The present study retrospectively analyzed patients undergone LA for acute appendicitis during the period 2001–2017. Clinical, intraoperative, and postoperative outcomes were described. Comparison between groups was made via univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The charts of 2076 patients undergone LA were reviewed. Thirty-seven patients (1.8%) developed a postoperative IAA. Male gender (p < 0.05), ASA score ≥ 2 (p < 0.05), a gangrenous or perforated appendicitis (p < 0.0001), abscess or pelvic peritonitis (p < 0.0001), clipping the mesoappendix (p < 0.0001), appendix division by mechanical stapler (p < 0.05), prolonged antibiotic therapy (p < 0.05), and piperacillin/tazocin regimen (p < 0.0001) were significantly more frequent in the group of patients with IAA. In terms of multivariate analysis, only pelvic peritonitis (p = 0.010), perforated appendicitis (p = 0.0002), and clipping the mesoappendix (p = 0.0002) were independent predictive factors for postoperative IAA. Conclusion: Patients with peritonitis or a perforated appendicitis, and those who had their mesoappendix clipped showed a higher likelihood of developing an IAA. At risk patients should be provided with careful follow-up for the early detection and management of this complication