A new study finds antibiotic-only treatment for appendicitis in children is safe, effective and less costly than surgery.
More evidence that antibiotics alone may be a safe and effective treatment for kids with uncomplicated appendicitis.
In a new study, researchers found using antibiotics instead of surgery resulted in less pain and fewer days off from school. But they also discovered using antibiotics in cases where the appendix has not ruptured is the most cost-effective strategy.
The researchers analyzed data from more than 1,000 patients, 7 to 17, who were hospitalized for uncomplicated appendicitis between 2015 and 2018.
Their parents were given two choices – urgent laparoscopic surgery or 24 hours of intravenous antibiotics and then surgery if necessary.
After comparing medical outcomes and treatment costs, the results showed kids who received antibiotics only reported fewer health-related issues and better quality of life at the one-year mark.
Antibiotic management was also less costly — about $8,000 versus $9,800 for laparoscopic appendectomy.
The lead author says, “Our study findings add an additional benefit to the antibiotics-only approach being safe and effective for children in that this strategy is shown to be cost effective.”
He says the next step is to investigate outcomes for outpatient antibiotic management versus outpatient surgery.
Source: Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Author Affiliations: Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nemours Children’s Health, Washington University School of Medicine
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