An Appendicitis? What should we do?


Watch Professor of Pediatrics William Raszka, M.D., as he performs a mock examination of a 16-year old patient with abdominal pain and see if you can answer his question.

Q: The diagnosis appears to be an appendicitis that hasn't ruptured. What should we do?

  1. Give fluids and observe
  2. Give antibiotics and observe
  3. Perform laparotomy
  4. Perform laparoscopic surgery
  5. Send stool for culture and ova and parasite exam

Click Here for the Answer:

If you chose 2, 3, or 4, you were correct!

2) Give antibiotics and observe: Our patient meets the criteria for antibiotics alone. This treatment is now preferred by many centers
3) Perform laparotomy: Abdominal surgery, which requires a large incision to remove the appendix, used to be the standard approach. It is no longer the treatment of choice for uncomplicated cases
4) Perform laparoscopic surgery: This is the surgical standard care for appendicitis

- Williams Raszka, M.D., professor of pediatrics