Acute appendicitis: A block-randomized study on active observation with or without antibiotic treatment

Antibiotic treatment of unselected patients with acute appendicitis is safe and effective. However, it is unknown to what extent early provision of antibiotic treatment may represent overtreatment due to spontaneous healing of appendix inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of antibiotic treatment versus active in-hospital observation on spontaneous regression of acute appendicitis.

Patients who sought acute medical care at Sahlgrenska University Hospital were block-randomized according to age (18-60 years) and systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein <60 mg/L, white blood cell <13,000/μL), in combination with clinical and abdominal characteristics of acute appendicitis. Study patients received antibiotic treatment and active observation, while control patients were allocated to classic active "wait and see observation" for either disease regression or the need for surgical exploration. According to our standard surgical care, certified surgeons in charge decided whether and when appendectomy was necessary. In total, 1,019 patients were screened for eligibility; 203 patients met inclusion criteria, 126 were accepted to participate, 29 declined, and 48 were missed for inclusion.

The antibiotic group (n = 69) and the control group (n = 57) were comparable at inclusion. Appendectomy at first hospital stay was 28% and 53% for study and control patients (χ², P < .004). Life table analysis indicated a time-dependent difference in the need for appendectomy during follow-up (P < .03). Antibiotics prevented surgical exploration and appendectomy by 72% to 50% compared to 47% to 37% in the control group across the time course follow-ups between 5 and 1,200 days.

Early antibiotic treatment is superior to traditional "wait and see observation" to avoid surgical exploration and appendectomy.