FINLAND — There is an alternative to patients with appendicitis who don't want to get surgery, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.<br /><br />In the past, appendicitis was considered a medical emergency, with surgeons removing the appendix immediately as they feared there was a possibility it would burst.<br /><br />However, the researchers found that nearly two-thirds of patients with appendicitis don't have to fear their appendix would burst and can choose to take antibiotics instead.<br /><br />Only 7 percent of patients who received antibiotics were found to have some kind of complications, with the authors saying the success rate for the antibiotic treatment was almost 64 percent.<br /><br />However, 36 percent of the patients eventually needed surgery to remove their appendix.<br /><br />The author of the study says antibiotics instead of surgery is a "feasible, viable and a safe option" for those who have an uncomplicated appendix, meaning they don't need to worry about their appendix bursting.<br /><br />In an editorial accompanying the study, the deputy editor of the journal said the treatment has a high chance of success, but that the public could also choose to get surgery if don't want to worry about appendicitis coming back again.
