Controversial aspects of appendicitis management in children.

The areas of controversy in appendicitis management in children include antibiotic usage, drainage of the peritoneal cavity, and closure of contaminated incisions. Our results and bacteriologic data suggest that gentamicin sulfate and clindamycin phosphate should be routinely used in cases of suspected perforation, that only selective and limited use of drains is warranted, and that delayed primary closure should be used in all cases with perforation.