According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, treating appendicitis in children with antibiotics, rather than surgery, is safe, effective and cost-effective. Appendicitis is a common reason for hospitalisation in children and appendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on hospitalised children.
The findings were based on an analysis of data from 1,068 children aged 7 to 17 who were treated for uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Parents were given two treatment options—urgent laparoscopic appendectomy or treatment with intravenous antibiotics for at least 24 hours. If the symptoms were not resolved with IV antibiotics, the kids underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Of 1,068 parents, 370 chose antibiotics, while 698 opted for surgery.
Kids treated with antibiotics reported fewer issues and better quality of life than those treated surgically. Antibiotic treatment resulted in less pain and fewer days off from school. It was also cheaper and more cost effective than surgery. “In short, non-operative management is a safe and cost-effective initial therapy and a reasonable alternative to surgery,” the study concluded.
