Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 19, 2025

Murine Appendectomy Model of Chronic Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer by Precise Localization of Caecal Patch
Published on: August 24, 2019
Acute Appendicitis in Childhood and Adulthood
Patrick Téoule1, Jan de Laffolie, Udo Rolle
1Department of Surgery, Universitäts -medizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg UniversityDepartment of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Giessen, GermanyDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany.
Insights
Acute appendicitis, a common cause of acute abdomen, is best treated with appendectomy. While conservative management is increasing, current evidence does not support replacing surgery as the standard therapy for appendicitis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Innovation
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Acute appendicitis is the most frequent cause of acute abdomen.
- It is a key differential diagnosis for undiagnosed abdominal pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current diagnostic and treatment strategies for acute appendicitis.
- To evaluate the role of conservative versus surgical management.
Main Methods:
- Selective literature search of PubMed and Cochrane Library.
- Review of publications on appendicitis diagnosis and treatment.
Main Results:
- Diagnosis involves medical history, physical exam, lab tests, and imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRI).
- Appendectomy is the primary treatment; conservative management is an option for uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis in select cases.
- Approximately 37% of adults treated conservatively for appendicitis may require surgery within a year.
Conclusions:
- Conservative treatment for appendicitis is becoming more common.
- Current evidence does not support a shift from surgical treatment to conservative management as the standard of care.
Background:
Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of the acute abdomen, with an incidence of 1 per 1000 persons per year. It is one of the main differential diagnoses of unclear abdominal conditions.
Methods:
This review is based on pertinent publications that were retrieved by a selective search in the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases.
Results:
In addition to the medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasonography should be performed to establish the diagnosis (and sometimes computed tomography [CT] or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], if ultrasonography is insufficient). Before any treatment is provided, appendicitis is classified as either uncomplicated or complicated. In both types of appendicitis, the decision to treat surgically or conservatively must be based on the overall clinical picture and the patient's risk factors. Appendectomy is the treatment of choice for acute appendicitis in all age groups. In Germany, appendectomy is mainly performed laparoscopically in patients with low morbidity. Uncomplicated appendicitis can, alternatively, be treated conservatively under certain circumstances. A meta-analysis of five randomized, controlled trials has revealed that ca. 37% of adult patients treated conservatively undergo appendectomy within one year. Complicated appendicitis is a serious disease; it can also potentially be treated conservatively (with antibiotics, with or without placement of a drain) as an alternative to surgical treatment.
Conclusion:
Conservative treatment is being performed more frequently, but the current state of the evidence does not justify a change of the standard therapy from surgery to conservative treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care

