A recent article published in JAMA Surgery noted that non operative treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis may be a viable strategy.
The treatment involved a 24 hour of in-hospital observation and IV antibiotic use fallowed by a 10 day course of oral antibiotics.
After 1 year of follow up, only 20% of patient required an appendectomy. Furthermore they had fewer days of disability and no difference in quality of life after 1 year.
So perhaps, just as we had discussed in our podcast about acute appendicitis, antibiotic based management of the condition may become a reasonable option.
Click here for a link to the editorial in JAMA Surgery talking about the article.
Posted on 17/12/2015 by Dr. Dimitre