• E T Simpson and A Smith.
• Department of Paediatric Surgery, Woden Valley Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
• J Paediatr Child Health. 1996 Apr 1;32(2):110-2.

ObjectiveAcute abdominal pain is a common problem in childhood, and appendicitis is frequently diagnosed by general practitioners and doctors working in emergency departments. The objective of the present report was to determine the frequency of appendicitis in a group of children with acute abdominal pain presenting to the emergency department of a general hospital, as well as attempting to analyse the manner in which these patients were managed.MethodologyThe initial assessment in hospital (by resident hospital staff) of the study group of patients was analysed and their subsequent clinical progress documented.ResultsThe present report shows that the vast majority of children with acute abdominal pain do not have appendicitis and that appendicitis is significantly over-diagnosed by junior hospital doctors.ConclusionsAppendicitis is a clinical diagnosis, best made by an experienced member of the paediatric surgical team. Frequent review, with a minimum of investigations, provides the best means of making a rational decision regarding surgery.

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