Appendicitis and antibiotics

It may be possible to treat appendicitis without surgery.

In a new study, appendicitis patients were given antibiotics instead, and had a 60% success rate and significantly fewer complications than surgery.

However, researchers say if there are signs the appendix has burst, including inflammation and fever, surgery remains the gold standard.

Other experts point out there is still a 20% chance patients given antibiotics will still need surgery to remove their appendix within a year.