In children, the literature is limited. The most significant studies are: Abes et al [6] who described successful, non-operative treatment in 15 of 16 children who had a very short duration of illness, and minimal diagnostic criteria on imaging; Armstrong et al [7] who reported a 75% success rate in 12 children treated non-operatively along with a matched comparison group undergoing surgery; two RCTs from the USA that compared appendectomy with antibiotic treatment for children with perforated appendicitis [8,9] (a different patient group from the one which we intend to study); a single centre, preference-based, non-randomized study comparing laparoscopic appendectomy with antibiotic treatment [10] that reported interim results only.