University of California researchers have shown that taking antibiotics at home can be more effective than surgery for appendicitis. The study was published in: JAMA Network Open.
Doctors reviewed data from 726 people with imaging-confirmed appendicitis. Half of them received intravenous antibiotics at 25 different centers between May 1, 2016 and February 28, 2020. Within 24 hours, 46% of these patients were discharged from the emergency room and continued treatment with pills at home. Within one week of discharge, outpatient treatment was associated with less than one serious adverse event in every 100 patients.
Patients missed fewer work days (2.8 vs. 2.6) and had a similar rate of return visits compared to those who had surgery. Researchers believe that outpatient appendicitis treatment is safe for most people with appendicitis and can reduce health care costs and avoid the risks associated with surgery.