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World J Gastrointest Surg. Aug 27, 2013; 5(8): 233-238
Published online Aug 27, 2013. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v5.i8.233
Published online Aug 27, 2013. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v5.i8.233
Fulminant Clostridium difficile infection: An association with prior appendectomy?
Jesse Clanton, Michael Subichin, Michael S Firstenberg, Department of Surgery, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Summa Akron City Hospital, Akron, OH 44304, United States
Katherine Drolshagen, Department of Pathology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Summa Akron City Hospital, Akron, OH 44304, United States
Timothy Daley, Department of Mathematics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
Author contributions: Clanton J, Daley T and Subichin M were responsible for the original concept and design of the study; Clanton J and Drolshagen K were responsible for data collection; Daley T and Subichin M performed the statistical analysis, with interpretation of the data performed by Clanton J, Subichin M, Drolshagen K and Firstenberg MS; Clanton J did the primary writing of the manuscript with substantial contributions and revisions from Subichin M, Daley T, Drolshagen K and Firstenberg MS; all authors approved the final version.
Correspondence to: Michael S Firstenberg, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Summa Akron City Hospital, 75 Arch Street, Suite 407, Akron, OH 44304, United States. firstenbergm@summahealth.org
Telephone: +1-330-3849001 Fax: +1-330-3849002
Received: May 15, 2013
Revised: June 20, 2013
Accepted: July 17, 2013
Published online: August 27, 2013
Revised: June 20, 2013
Accepted: July 17, 2013
Published online: August 27, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: We demonstrated a significant relationship between fulminant Clostridium difficile infections and previous appendectomy. Early surgical management of at risk patients might improve outcomes and further studies can hopefully explore the role of appendectomy on chronic colonic colonization and future infection risks.