Appendicitis medical therapy

Appendicitis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Appendicitis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Diagnostic Scoring
X Ray
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Appendicitis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Appendicitis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Appendicitis
CDC on Appendicitis
Appendicitis in the news
Blogs on Appendicitis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Appendicitis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Appendicitis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Surgery is the most effective medical therapy in treating appendicitis. Laprascopic surgery is the preferred method of surgery due to reduced complications and recovery time for the patient. Antibiotics are provided intravenously to the patient to reduce the risk of bacterial spread during surgery.

Surgery

Appendicectomy, or laproscopic removal of the appendix are the most effective therapies in treating appendicitis.

Antibiotics

In combination with surgery, antibiotics given intravenously such as cefuroxime and metronidazole may be administered early to help kill bacteria and thus reduce the spread of infection in the abdomen and postoperative complications in the abdomen or wound. Equivocal cases may become more difficult to assess with antibiotic treatment and benefit from serial examinations.