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Is nonoperative management of uncomplicated appendicitis in children safe? To find out, researchers at a pediatric emergency department prospectively studied children aged 7 to 17 years who presented with nonperforated acute appendicitis and ≤48 hours of abdominal pain and who underwent either laparoscopic appendectomy or nonoperative medical management based on patient and family choice. Patients in the surgery group received intravenous antibiotics and underwent appendectomy within 12 hours. Those undergoing nonoperative management received IV antibiotics for at least 24 hours followed by a 10-day course of oral antibiotics. Patients with worsening or nonchanging symptoms after 24 hours underwent appendectomy.
Of 102 children enrolled, 37 …