Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Committee Chair
Trey Boyd
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
appendicitis, antibacterial agent
Abstract
Introduction: Acute appendicitis is a common cause of the acute abdomen, and the current standard of care is surgical removal of the appendix. The purpose of this review is to compare the long-term efficacy of antibiotics in the treatment of acute uncomplicated appendicitis.
Methods: PubMed was searched using the key terms “anti-bacterial agents” AND “appendicitis” AND “appendectomy”. Operators and filters narrowed results to four relevant articles for review.
Results: Of the four articles, 3 were meta-analyses of the same RCTs comparing the efficacy of antibiotic therapy to appendectomies. The fourth reviewed 12 RCTs comparing antibiotic therapy to appendectomies.
Discussion: The articles reviewed all showed similar results. Antibiotics were not shown to be more effective than surgery, however, it is still effective in many cases. It is safe to treat acute uncomplicated appendicitis with antibiotics. However, the patient should be aware of an increased risk of rehospitalization, longer stays in the hospital, and possible need for future appendectomy.
Recommended Citation
Wilson, Elizabeth, "Antibiotics vs Appendectomy in Acute Uncomplicated Appendicitis" (2025). The PA Department Journal of Medical Science. 17.
https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/pa-department-journal-of-medical-science/17
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