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Invasive surgery may not be the best way to treat most cases of appendicitis. New research suggests that antibiotic therapy can be just as successful as an appendectomy in treating uncomplicated, non-acute forms of the condition.
The new study, published by Finnish researchers in the latest edition of JAMA, included 530 participants between the ages of 18 and 60. Each agreed to receive a randomly assigned form of treatment for their appendicitis. Approximately half of the participants received an open appendectomy while the other half were given IV and oral antibiotics.
Seventy-five percent of the participants who received antibiotic therapy recovered from appendicitis without requiring surgery the following year. The 25 percent of participants who still needed surgery following antibiotic therapy suffered no adverse effects from trying antibiotics first and then having an appendectomy.
The study, which was limited to participants who had uncomplicated cases of appendicitis that were previously diagnosed using a CT scan, has received some criticism. According to a New York Times report, opponents of the study point out that it only included open appendectomies and that the antibiotic therapy, which involves a three-day hospital stay for IV administration of ertapenem followed by seven days of taking oral levofloxacin and metronidazole, was excessive.
U.S. researchers say they are planning a similar study that will take into account laparoscopic surgery and less powerful antibiotic therapy.
To learn more, you can read about it at Outpatient Surgery Magazine.
