All About Appendicitis

 Appendicitis is something that nearly 1 in 10 people will experience at some point in their lifetime. In this podcast, we discuss this common presentation with pediatric surgeon Dr. Jonathan Kohler. We review the cause of appendicitis, the classic presenting symptoms of appendicitis, how clinicians diagnose appendicitis with physical exam maneuvers, imaging and labs. In addition, we discuss management of appendicitis, including surgery or when non-operative management may be indicated.

This episode written by Dr. Jonathan Kohler, Dr. Dean Blumberg and Dr. Lena van der List.

We thank Dr. Jonathan Kohler a pediatric surgeon at UC Davis Children's Hospital, for joining us for this episode, although Drs. Lena and Dean take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

Supplemental information:

Kids Health- Appendicitis

Healthy Children- Appendicitis in Teens

AAP news release on non-operative management for appendicitis

JAMA article- Association of Nonoperative Management Using Antibiotic Therapy vs Laparoscopic Appendectomy With Treatment Success and Disability Days in Children With Uncomplicated Appendicitis, Minneci et al.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia- Appendectomy

Photo from Medical College of Wisconsin