Authors :
Dr. Junior Sundresh N.; Lakshminarayanan S.; Subanithi B.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4r4zdsy5
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/3byzjraf
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25aug711
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Abstract :
Acute appendicitis (AA) remains one of the most common causes for emergency abdominal surgery worldwide,
though recent evidence supports non-operative management of uncomplicated cases with intravenous (IV) antibiotics,
particularly in resource-limited settings or during global health crises like COVID-19. This prospective observational study
included 50 clinically and radiologically diagnosed patients with uncomplicated AA who were treated conservatively with
IV antibiotics, either Ciprofloxacin + Metronidazole or Piperacillin + Tazobactam. Data on demographics, imaging
(USG/CT), Alvarado score, comorbidities, clinical response, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results showed that
72% of patients were cured with antibiotics, 12% experienced partial relief, 6% showed no change, 4% worsened, and 6%
eventually required surgery, with complications being minimal and mostly gastrointestinal. Statistical analysis revealed no
significant correlation between specific antibiotic regimens and outcomes (p = 0.73), though higher Alvarado scores were
positively associated with improved outcomes (p = 0.039). In conclusion, conservative management with IV antibiotics is a
safe and effective alternative to surgery in carefully selected patients with uncomplicated AA, with clinical scoring and
imaging playing a vital role in patient selection and monitoring.
Keywords :
Acute Appendicitis, IV Antibiotics, Conservative Treatment, Alvarado Score, Non-Operative Management.
References :
- Ferris M, Quan S, Kaplan BS, et al. The global incidence of appendicitis: a systematic review of population-based studies. Ann Surg. 2017;266(2):237–241.
- Andersson RE. The natural history and traditional management of appendicitis revisited. World J Surg. 2007;31(1):86–92.
- Salminen P, Paajanen H, Rautio T, et al. Antibiotic therapy vs appendectomy for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: the APPAC randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2015;313(23):2340–2348.
- Wilms IM, de Hoog DE, de Visser DC, Janzing HM. Appendectomy versus antibiotic treatment for acute appendicitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(11).
- Sallinen V, Akl EA, You JJ, et al. Meta-analysis of antibiotics versus appendicectomy for non-perforated acute appendicitis. Br J Surg. 2016;103(6):656–667.
- Talan DA, Saltzman DJ, Mower WR, et al. Antibiotics-first versus surgery for appendicitis: a US pilot randomized controlled trial. Ann Emerg Med. 2017;70(1):1–11.
- Harnoss JC, Zelienka I, Probst P, et al. Antibiotics versus appendectomy in uncomplicated appendicitis: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg. 2017;265(5):889–900.
- Coccolini F, Perrone G, Chiarugi M, et al. Surgery in COVID-19 patients: operational directives. World J Emerg Surg. 2020;15(1):25.
- Sippola S, Grönroos J, Tuominen R, et al. Quality of life and patient satisfaction at 7 years after antibiotic therapy vs appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis. JAMA. 2023;329(5):365–373.
- Minneci PC, Mahida JB, Lodwick DL, et al. Effectiveness of nonoperative management for pediatric appendicitis. JAMA. 2020;324(6):581–593.
- Kim HY, Park JH, Lee YJ, et al. Outcomes of conservative treatment in appendicitis. Am J Emerg Med. 2018;36(4):620–624.
- Podda M, Gerardi C, Cillara N, et al. Antibiotics-first strategy for uncomplicated appendicitis: meta-analysis. JAMA Surg. 2016;151(8):740–751.
- Shindoh J, Niwa H, Kawai K, et al. Comorbidities as risk factors for poor outcomes in appendicitis. World J Surg. 2013;37(5):1141–1146.
- Bhangu A, Søreide K, Di Saverio S, et al. Acute appendicitis: modern understanding of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Lancet. 2015;386(10000):1278–1287.
- Biondi A, Di Stefano C, Ferrara F, et al. Conservative treatment of acute appendicitis. Ann Ital Chir. 2016;87:469–479.
- Varadhan KK, Neal KR, Lobo DN. Safety and efficacy of antibiotics compared with appendicectomy for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: meta-analysis of RCTs. BMJ. 2012;344:e2156.
- Mason RJ. Surgery for appendicitis: is it necessary? Surg Infect. 2008;9(4):481–488.
- Hansson J, Körner U, Khorram-Manesh A, et al. Randomized clinical trial of antibiotic therapy vs appendicectomy. Br J Surg. 2009;96(5):473–481.
- Flum DR, Davidson GH, Monsell SE, et al. A randomized trial comparing antibiotics with appendectomy. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(20):1907–1919.
- Di Saverio S, Podda M, De Simone B, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis: 2020 update of WSES Jerusalem guidelines. World J Emerg Surg. 2020;15(1):27.
Acute appendicitis (AA) remains one of the most common causes for emergency abdominal surgery worldwide,
though recent evidence supports non-operative management of uncomplicated cases with intravenous (IV) antibiotics,
particularly in resource-limited settings or during global health crises like COVID-19. This prospective observational study
included 50 clinically and radiologically diagnosed patients with uncomplicated AA who were treated conservatively with
IV antibiotics, either Ciprofloxacin + Metronidazole or Piperacillin + Tazobactam. Data on demographics, imaging
(USG/CT), Alvarado score, comorbidities, clinical response, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results showed that
72% of patients were cured with antibiotics, 12% experienced partial relief, 6% showed no change, 4% worsened, and 6%
eventually required surgery, with complications being minimal and mostly gastrointestinal. Statistical analysis revealed no
significant correlation between specific antibiotic regimens and outcomes (p = 0.73), though higher Alvarado scores were
positively associated with improved outcomes (p = 0.039). In conclusion, conservative management with IV antibiotics is a
safe and effective alternative to surgery in carefully selected patients with uncomplicated AA, with clinical scoring and
imaging playing a vital role in patient selection and monitoring.
Keywords :
Acute Appendicitis, IV Antibiotics, Conservative Treatment, Alvarado Score, Non-Operative Management.