Are antibiotics an effective initial treatment for acute appendicitis compared to appendectomy?

Acute appendicitis is among the most common emergency presentations and has traditionally been treated with appendectomy. However, recent randomized controlled trials suggest that antibiotic therapy is a reasonable, non-operative alternative for appropriately selected patients who understand the risks. The purpose of this review article was to summarize findings from a recent individual patient data meta-analysis comparing antibiotic therapy versus appendectomy in adults with imaging-confirmed acute appendicitis.

The reviewed meta-analysis included six randomized controlled trials encompassing 2101 adult patients. A one-stage analysis was performed applying an intention-to-treat analysis. A mixed-effects model accounted for study-level clustering. Complications were standardized using the Clavien-Dindo classification, a widely used tool for classification of surgical complications. The primary endpoint was the overall complication rate at one year, and secondary outcomes included rate of step-up appendectomy, hospital length of stay, and time away from work.

No significant difference in overall, major, or minor complication rates was found at one year between patients receiving initial antibiotic therapy and those undergoing appendectomy. 34% of patients treated with antibiotics required delayed appendectomy within one year and 25% of those patients were found to have complicated appendicitis. In contrast, patients with an appendicolith demonstrated significantly higher complication rates, and 49% required subsequent appendectomy.

Antibiotic therapy is a reasonable initial management strategy for adults with uncomplicated, imaging-confirmed acute appendicitis as long as patients understand the risks. However, caution is warranted in those with an appendicolith due to increased risk of complications and treatment failure with antibiotic therapy.