Antibiotics for Appendicitis? Surgery Often Not Needed

Antibiotics for Appendicitis? Surgery Often Not Needed
When emergency tests showed the telltale right-sided pain in VanDusen's abdomen was appendicitis, she figured she'd be quickly wheeled into surgery. But doctors offered her the option of antibiotics instead. Clare McLean/UW Medicine via AP
The Associated Press
Updated:

CHICAGO—When emergency tests showed the telltale right-sided pain in Heather VanDusen’s abdomen was appendicitis, she figured she'd be quickly wheeled into surgery. But doctors offered her the option of antibiotics instead.

A new study from Finland shows her choice is a reasonable alternative for most patients with appendicitis. Five years after treatment with antibiotics, almost two-thirds of patients hadn’t had another attack.