[Is medication possible for acute appendicitis?].

Aim: To study the possibility of antibacterial therapy for acute appendicitis as an alternative to surgical treatment.

Material And Methods: For the period 1985-2010 diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in 5548 patients with suspected acute appendicitis. Acute phlegmonous or gangrenous appendicitis was observed in 2275 (41.0%) patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Other acute diseases occurred in 2458 (44.3%) patients. Acute catarrhal appendicitis or secondary inflammation of the appendix were diagnosed in 815 (14.7%) patients; they did not get appendectomy. In-hospital antibacterial therapy has been administered for 1-2 days followed by discharge for outpatient treatment. One patient with acute destructive appendicitis who refused surgery was treated with antibiotics.

Results: Antibacterial therapy in 815 patients with acute catarrhal appendicitis allowed to avoid surgical treatment. Complications (appendicular infiltration, abscess), repeated hospitalizations within 1 month were absent. Antibacterial treatment provided recovery in 1 patient with destructive appendicitis who refused surgical treatment.

Conclusion: Patients with acute catarrhal appendicitis diagnosed with laparoscopy do not need for appendectomy and can be cured by antibacterial therapy.