Antibiotic as First Line Treatment for Uncomplicated Appendicitis

If antibiotic therapy were to be accepted in the US there are several likely benefits. The most obvious benefit would include a lower healthcare cost burden. The cost of surgical intervention compared to medical management is higher, and this cost places a higher financial burden on the patient and their family. Medical management would provide a safe and effective alternative for those who are at high risk for anesthesia complications or for those who are pregnant. There are also many rural facilities that may benefit if the area is not equipped with tools for surgery. It could provide a comparable alternative for those who may not want to undergo surgery due to religious beliefs. Other benefits include less disruption of patient’s day-to-day life and less stress on their families. Considering this, the goal of this article is to help determine whether the use of antibiotics compared to surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis affects the complication rate