Antibiotics-First Strategy versus Appendectomy in the Management of Acute Appendicitis

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal disorders requiring surgery. The mainstay of treatment is an appendectomy for more than 100 years. However, symptoms of acute appendicitis confuse many other conditions making diagnosis a challenge. In addition, as with all operations, postoperative complications exist, including wound infections, intra-abdominal abscesses, ileus and adhesions. For some specific patients (the first trimester of pregnancy or who have contraindications), surgery is not the best choice. So it is important to confirm if antibiotics-first approach is effective and may be used as an alternative treatment for appendectomy.