ObjectiveTo summarizes the clinical characteristics of chronic appendicitis in children and discusses the diagnostic methods and the clinical application value of laparoscopic surgery.MethodsThe clinical data and treatment process of 68 children with chronic appendicitis admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2015 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and their clinical characteristics and treatment experience were summarized and analyzed.ResultsAccording to different medical histories and symptoms, 68 cases were divided into 3 groups, with 15 patients in the typical symptom group, 28 patients in the appendix abscess group, and 25 patients in the asymptomatic group. All the 25 children in the asymptomatic group underwent barium enema examination, among which 68.0% (17/25) had filling defect in the appendix cavity, 16.0% (4/25) had no obvious appendix visualization, and 68.0% (17/25) had residual barium in the appendix cavity after 72 hours. The incidence of children in the 3 groups was concentrated at school age, but there was no significant difference in the proportion of children in different age groups between the three groups (P>0.05). All cases underwent laparoscopic exploration, 66 cases successfully completed laparoscopic appendectomy, 2 cases transferred to laparotomy, and all recovered satisfactorily. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the 3 groups (P>0.05).ConclusionsThe clinical manifestations of chronic appendicitis in children are diverse and difficult to diagnose. Barium enema examination (including re-examination after 72 hours) in children with atypical symptoms can help confirm the diagnosis. Chronic appendicitis in children is more common in school-age children, and laparoscopic exploration+appendectomy are the preferred treatment.