 - All children 5-18 years of age, presenting to CHEO with perforated appendicitis confirmed either in the operating room or diagnosed preoperatively according to radiological criteria, and managed surgically will be assessed for eligibility to participate. These patients may participate if baseline lab values of serum AST SGOT, AL T SGPT, LDH, triglycerides and hexokinase glucose are normal, complete physical exam is normal, hGC test is negative for pregnancy if the patient is a female of reproductive age and none of the exclusion criteria are present. 