Objective To comparatively study the su rgical stress caused by laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and open appendectomy(OA ) in children. MethodsSi xty-nine underwent LA and 91 did OA. Serum IL-6 and CRP levels were measured b efore and 12h post-op. Results The operative time was significantly shorter in laparoscopic group(33? 15min vs 45?9min, P