The unnecessary laparotomy for appendicitis-can it be decreased?

There has been no decrease in the incidence of negative appendectomies in the adult population over the past two decades. Review of 484 appendectomies over a five-year period revealed that females between the ages of 13 to 40 have the lowest appendiceal perforation rate and the highest diagnostic error rate. More thorough preoperative assessment is indicated in this group. A program utilizing intensive observation, diagnostic barium enema, and laparoscopy may produce a reduction in negative laparotomies for appendicitis.