Henry Ford Health System issued the following announcement on Oct. 5.
Every year more than 250,000 people undergo surgery for appendicitis, making it one of the 20 most common surgeries performed in the United States.
In the largest randomized U.S. study of appendicitis published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers from Henry Ford Health System and 24 other sites around the U.S. report that seven in 10 patients who received antibiotics avoided surgery and that patients who took antibiotics for symptom relief fared no worse in the short term than those who underwent surgery.
Still, researchers cautioned that taking antibiotics for appendicitis is not for everyone and advised patients to consult with their physician.
“The significance of this study means that surgeons and patients now have more options for the treatment of appendicitis,” says J.H. “Pat” Patton, M.D., medical director of Surgical Services for Henry Ford Health System and a study co-investigator. “We now know that we can safely and effectively treat a significant number of patients with antibiotics alone and avoid surgery. We encourage patients to weigh their options based on their individual circumstances before deciding which treatment is best for them.”
Original source can be found here.
Source: Henry Ford Health System
Alerts Sign-up