Antibiotic Therapy Versus Appendectomy for Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis

Adeel Ur Rehman Kandaan, S H Waqar

Abstract

Objective

To compare the antibiotic therapy with conventional appendectomy for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis in terms of duration of pain and hospital stay.

Study design

Comparative study.

Place & Duration of study

Surgical Unit III, Department of Surgery, PIMS Islamabad, From July 2016 to June 2017.

Methodology

Patients of both genders aged =13 years with uncomplicated acute appendicitis were allocated into two treatment groups. Patients in Group-A were managed conservatively on antibiotics while those in Group-B underwent appendectomy. Outcome variables noted were mean number of days patient experienced pain and mean duration of hospital stay. Patients were followed up to six months for any complications. Informed consent was obtained.

Results

A total of 112 patients of both genders were enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 27.09±13.54 year. There were 64 (57.14%) male and 48 (42.85%) female patients with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. The mean duration of pain in group A was 3.70±1.67 days while in group B 3.52±1.68 days (p=0.592). Similarly, the mean duration of hospital stay was 3.22±1.59 days in antibiotic group and 3.02±1.52 days in appendectomy group (p=0.521). Fifteen (27.2%) patients of antibiotic group underwent appendectomy within six month of follow up.

Conclusion

Majority of patients with antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated acute appendicitis did not require appendectomy during the six months follow up period.

Key words

Acute Appendicitis, Appendectomy, Antibiotics.