title: The outcome of antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated appendicitis with diameters ≤ 10 mm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although many patients receive antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated appendicitis, the relatively high treatment failure and recurrence rates are problematic. We assumed that patients with appendicitis and appendiceal diameters ≤ 10 mm, have better outcomes. The purpose of this prospective non-randomized study was to assess the outcomes of antibiotic therapy in patients with uncomplicated appendicitis and appendiceal diameters ≤ 10 mm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over 2 years, we enrolled 119 patients who initially received antibiotic therapy. The failure of antibiotic therapy was defined as the need for appendectomy and true appendicitis. Peritonitis was defined as either complicated appendicitis or intra-abdominal abscess postoperatively. We evaluated the rates of treatment failure, peritonitis, and recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients (7.6%) failed to respond to initial antibiotic therapy, and 6 had true appendicitis after subsequent surgery. Two patients had complicated appendicitis (peritonitis), but no patient displayed intra-abdominal abscess postoperatively. During a median follow-up period months of 14 months, 14 patients (12.7%) experienced recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibiotic therapy without surgery may be a safe treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis in select patients with appendiceal diameters ≤ 10 mm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, 896 Pyeongchon-Dong, Dong An-Gu, Anyang 431-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung-Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, 896 Pyeongchon-Dong, Dong An-Gu, Anyang 431-070, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min Jeong
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, 896 Pyeongchon-Dong, Dong An-Gu, Anyang 431-070, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: greatpa1@daum.net.
authors.forename: Bong Hwa
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D008795:Metronidazole
keywords: Antibiotic therapy; Appendectomy; Appendiceal diameter; Uncomplicated appendicitis