Comparison of antibiotic therapy versus appendectomy in patients with Acute appendicitis

Abstract

Objective: To compare antibiotic therapy versus appendectomy in patient with acute appendicitis.

Methodology: Study was randomized controlled trial conducted at general surgery department of Nishtar Hospital; Multan from 9^th may 2023 to 8^th November 2023 in 6 months’ duration. After obtaining written informed consent after detailed description, using lottery method, patients were divided into two groups antibiotic therapy and appendectomy. Using visual analogue scale pain scores were obtained from 0 no pain to 10 severe worst possible pain. Starting from the day they presented until the patient had VAS score of = 2, duration of pain was measured.

Results: The mean pain experienced of Group A and Group B was 3.53±0.88 days and 3.65±0.87, respectively. The difference was statistically insignificant, (p=0.404). The mean length of stay in hospital of Group A and Group B was 4.51±2.19 days and 4.94±1.77 days, respectively. The difference was statistically insignificant, (p=0.155).

Conclusion: Findings of this study reveal that patients that fall in the antibiotic treatment group  i.e conservative group were not in need of surgical appendectomy during the six-month follow-up period. This suggests that antibiotic treatment was effective in managing the condition in these patients.