Non-operative treatment of appendicitis: public perception and decision-making
Emer P O'Connell1, Annmarie White2, Paul Cromwell2
1Department of Surgery, Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland. emer.oconnell@umail.ucc.ie.
Background:
Appendectomy has for many years been the accepted treatment of appendicitis. In recent years, non-operative management of appendicitis (NOTA) has been reported as an effective treatment option.
Aims:
We aimed to assess the perspectives of public hospital attendees regarding the diagnosis and treatment options for appendicitis.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional survey of outpatients over a 10-week period (December 2016-March 2017). The questionnaire contained an information sheet and consent form and included open, closed and multiple-choice questions.
Results:
Two hundred forty-four participants (159 female, 85 male) were surveyed. A high level of awareness of appendicitis as a surgical emergency existed amongst the participants. The primary reason participants were reluctant to receive non-operative treatment was a fear of their appendix "bursting" if not removed.
Conclusions:
Participant knowledge levels were variable with many concerned that non-operated appendicitis would always perforate. Perceptions of treatment were variable with some believing surgery was an absolute requirement and others preferring antibiotics due to the belief that NOTA is complication-free.
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