Adapted from BMJ 7-14 Feb 2026
A Finnish study followed up patients who had been diagnosed with appendicitis over ten years. Some had been given immediate surgery, and some had been given antibiotics.
If appendicitis is complicated, such as the infection is thought to have spread to the peritoneum, then surgery is necessary, but if the infection is thought to be localised, then antibiotics may be given as an alternative to immediate surgery.
257 patients were given antibiotics. Of these all but four of them were able to be followed up for ten years. 44.3% of the antibiotic group eventually had surgery to remove their appendix over this ten year period. The remaining 55.7% kept their appendix.
Complications were fewer in the group given immediate appendicectomy but there was no difference in quality of life between the two groups.
I’m not sure whether you would be given the choice over what treatment you get in the NHS, but given the choice, what would you opt for?
Diabetes Diet 