Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Unexplained recurrent abdominal pain is a frequent problem in the pediatric population. An organic cause is found in 10 percent of children. Recurrent abdominal pain is responsible for multiple hospital admissions and patient evaluations. In some children, partial luminal obstruction of the appendix without inflammation may be the cause of this pain, and is defined as "appendiceal colic." ⋯ Appendiceal colic may be a true clinical entity. Children suffering from appendiceal colic may benefit from elective appendectomy.