Antibiotics or Surgery: What's Best for Child Appendicitis?

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• December 2, 2024
• Full Page

For decades, surgery to remove an inflamed appendix has been a rite of childhood for many.

But a new study says treating appendicitis with antibiotics, rather than surgery, is the best way to address most cases.

Using antibiotics to treat uncomplicated cases of app...

Stephen Colbert Returns to Late Night Show After Ruptured Appendix

• Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
• December 13, 2023
• Full Page

Comedian Stephen Colbert returned to his popular late night talk show this week after recovering from a ruptured appendix he suffered roughly three weeks ago.

During his monologue on Monday, the talk sh...

Study Finds Good Long-Term Outcomes for Appendicitis Treated Without Surgery

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• August 10, 2023
• Full Page

Most people with appendicitis who are given antibiotics -- instead of having their appendix removed -- fare well over the long haul, new research indicates.

The conclusion follows roughly two decades spent tracking patient outcomes in Sweden.

The study found that a...

Appendicitis Often Spotted Later in Black Patients

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• January 18, 2023
• Full Page

While appendicitis is a common emergency, Black people experiencing its symptoms more often have a delayed diagnosis.

But that doesn't happen in lower-quality hospitals that serve more Black patients, according to new research. There, Black people are diagnosed more quic...

Cancer Can Strike the Appendix, Too

• March 22, 2022
• Full Page

What appears to be appendicitis can actually be cancer of the appendix in some cases, especially in patients under the age of 50, a new study suggests.

While antibiotics can be used instead of surgery to treat acute appendicitis, patients who receive antibiotics should b...

Low-Dose CT Scans Can Diagnose Appendicitis

• Robert Preidt
• November 15, 2021
• Full Page

CT scans expose patients to radiation even as they help doctors spot serious health problems. Now a new study finds low-dose scans can readily spot appendicitis while reducing patients' radiation exposure.

"The results of this study suggest that the diagnostic CT scan ra...