Acute appendicitis in children - review focused on diagnostics and treatment

Abstract

Introduction and Objective
Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical conditions in both children and adults.
There are numerous diagnostic tools available, as well as a variety of treatment options,
including both pharmacological and surgical methods. This summary focuses on the current
knowledge regarding the disease, its diagnosis and treatment.
Review Methods
A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database to gather information on
appendicitis. The main search term used was "appendicitis," with the review specifically
concentrating on the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Description of the State of Knowledge
Diagnosing appendicitis involves taking a medical history, performing a physical
examination, conducting laboratory tests, and using imaging, which also help assess the
severity of the condition. Treatment options range from antibiotic therapy to open surgery and
laparoscopic appendectomy.
Conclusions
The analysis of the review suggests that both diagnosis and treatment depend on various
factors, with the patient's clinical presentation and the surgeon's experience being among the
most important. Treatment approaches are continually evolving, such as with the
development of different laparoscopic techniques, including one-incision laparoscopic
appendectomy in addition to the conventional three-incision method. However, more
traditional treatments, like antibiotic therapy and open appendectomy, remain in use.
Key words: appendicitis; children; diagnostics; treatment; appendectomy