title: Pediatric appendicitis: state of the art review.
abstract: Appendicitis is a common cause of abdominal pain in children. The diagnosis and treatment of the disease have undergone major changes in the past two decades, primarily as a result of the application of an evidence-based approach. Data from several randomized controlled trials, large database studies, and meta-analyses have fundamentally affected patient care. The best diagnostic approach is a standardized clinical pathway with a scoring system and selective imaging. Non-operative management of simple appendicitis is a reasonable option in selected cases, with the caveat that data in children remain limited. A minimally invasive (laparoscopic) appendectomy is the current standard in US and European children's hospitals. This article reviews the current 'state of the art' in the evaluation and management of pediatric appendicitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas, MO, 64108, USA. rrentea@cmh.edu.
authors.forename: Rebecca M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Rentea
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas, MO, 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Shawn D St
authors.initials: SDS
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas, MO, 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Snyder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D001065:Appendix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Abdominal pain; Abscess; Appendectomy; Appendicitis; Children; Laparoscopy; Non-operative management; Pediatric; Right lower quadrant; Scoring system