Is peritoneal drainage necessary after laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated acute appendicitis in children?

Peritoneal drainage did not significantly reduce the primary endpoint of overall surgical-site infection. However, secondary analyses suggested potential benefits (including fewer intra-abdominal infections, faster recovery, and lower short-term costs) that should be considered exploratory. Selective drainage may be beneficial in this setting, but confirmation in larger multicenter pediatric trials is needed before routine adoption.