[Laparoscopy in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children].

In the period between 1984 and 1988 laparoscopy was conducted 846 times in children with suspected acute appendicitis. In 301 children the diagnosis was confirmed in atypical forms of appendicitis. In 418 children laparoscopy revealed diseases which are recognized with great difficulties (mesadenitis, primary peritonitis, genital diseases, etc.), in which the final diagnosis is usually established during laparotomy. In 39 children laparoscopic diagnosis was conducted during intercurrent diseases in which the abdominal pain syndrome simulated the clinical picture of acute appendicitis. As the result of laparoscopic examination the number of operations for simple forms reduced from 38.3 to 6.2% and the timely diagnosis of acute appendicitis improved.