Table 1.

Knowledge gaps and controversies in the current management of acute appendicitis

Knowledge gap or controversy	References
Decision making: Operative versus nonoperative
Optimal timing of appendectomy and implications of in-hospital delay	[11–13]
Safety and efficacy of nonoperative management of acute appendicitis	[14–20]
Indications for interval appendectomy following successful nonoperative management	[21–23]
Operative techniques
Technical modifications such as methods of handling the mesoappendix and appendiceal base	[24, 25]
Intraoperative peritoneal saline lavage versus aspiration of periappendiceal/pelvic fluid/abscess	[26, 27]
Perioperative medicine
Need for postoperative antibiotics and the route of their administration	[18]
System logistics and their implications for surgical care
Optimal management of acute appendicitis during and after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic	[28–30]
The place of appendicitis in core surgical training
Operating surgeon experience and surgical outcomes following emergency appendectomy	[31–33]