Diagnosis and treatment of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis

Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain. Knowledge about appendicitis is already extensive. However, not too long ago a new theory emerged; two entities of appendicitis can be distinguished (complicated and uncomplicated). This provides new opportunities and challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis. This thesis focuses on the treatment and diagnostics of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis. This thesis contains several studies concerning the importance of differentiating between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis, described the diagnostic capacity of imaging in discriminating complicated from uncomplicated appendicitis, involves the opinion of the average Dutch citizen concerning non-operative versus operative treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis and includes a study protocol which aims to externally validate and optimize a scoring system to rule out complicated appendicitis. The thesis also comprises a summary of the Dutch guideline for acute appendicitis.