Comparison of Conservative Antibiotic Management Versus Early Appendectomy in Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis: A Retrospective Study.

Jitendra Kumar  Chaudhary; Anil  Kumar; Kavita  Tirkey; Dr. Shital  Malua

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2615

Authors

Jitendra Kumar Chaudhary Senior Resident, Department of General Surgery, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
Anil Kumar Senior Resident (Non-Academic), Department of Neurosurgery, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
Kavita Tirkey Senior Resident, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
Dr. Shital Malua Professor & HOD, Department of General Surgery, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2615

Keywords:

Antibiotic, uncomplicated appendicitis, appendectomy, recurrence risk, hospital stay

Abstract

Background:

One of the most frequent surgical emergencies is acute appendicitis. Although conservative antibiotic therapy has emerged as an alternative for certain patients with simple illnesses, appendectomy is still the standard of care.

Objective:

To compare the clinical outcomes of conservative antibiotic management versus early appendectomy in patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis.

Methods:

From January 2021 to December 2022, 100 patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis were included in a retrospective comparative study. Fifty patients underwent early appendectomy, while fifty others received conservative antimicrobial treatment. Analysis was done on outcomes such as symptom relief, length of hospital stay, complications, recurrence, and treatment success. SPSS version 22 was used for statistical analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was deemed significant.

Results:

Initial treatment success was achieved in 82% of the conservative group and 98% of the surgical group (p=0.01). Mean hospital stay was shorter in the antibiotic group (2.8 ± 1.1 days) compared to the surgery group (4.1 ± 1.5 days) (p=0.002). Recurrence within one year occurred in 18% of conservatively managed patients. Postoperative wound complications occurred in 10% of surgical patients.

Conclusion:

Conservative antibiotic management may be an effective short-term option in selected patients with uncomplicated appendicitis; however, appendectomy provides higher definitive treatment success with lower recurrence risk.

Recommendation:

Conservative antibiotic therapy may be considered in selected clinically stable patients; however, early appendectomy remains the preferred definitive treatment due to lower recurrence and higher success rates.

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