Information is needed to guide parents on the subject of marijuana use now that it is legal in some states. / How effective is nonoperative treatment for acute appendicitis?

 

COUSELING PARENTS AND TEENS ABOUT MARIJUANA USE IN THE ERA OF LEGALIZTION OF MARIJUANA

By Sheryl A. Ryan, MD, FAAP, etc. .

Pediatrics, Vol. 139, Nu. 3 March 2017, pg. 91

Here is a great review article on a very timely topic. It is full of useful facts to guide parents through the introduction of a substance into society as a legal psycho altering drug.

 
We still struggle with alcohol. I guess we needed another drug to add more drama to the world of parenting—one of man’s great challenges.

 

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF NONOPERATIVE TREATMENT FOR ACUTE APPENDICITIS: A META-ANALYSIS

By Roxani Georgiou, MRCS, etc.

Pediatrics, Vol. 139, Nu. 3, March 2017, pg. 67

The authors took a hard look at treating acute appendicitis without surgery. They conclude that long-term cost effectiveness and overall outcomes require further evaluation.

 

With that conclusion, why did I put it in my “What’s Up Doc?” article? I included it because it is greatly discussed among pediatric surgeons, and, as a parent, you must be aware of the topic.

 

At this time I find it very hard to deny the patient the quick recovery and decreased pain of surgery for acute appendicitis. I realize that military medicine has shown that you can through the acute phase with antibiotics. But there is a significant number of patients who ultimately require surgery.

 


Bottom line: there is none. We need more data before we decide all acute appendicitis patients should not get surgery. Stay tuned. Let’s see what more information indicates.