What would the doctor suggest if no operation can be performed to treat appendicitis?

Antibiotics: While the standard treatment for appendicitis is surgery, there are some occasions where people can be treated by antibiotics alone. If treated in this manner, some people will do well; unfortunately, we cannot predict who will. Therefore, it is much, much safer to surgically remove the appendix rather than take a chance with antibiotics alone.

Why not?: There are few contraindications to an appendectomy for acute appendicitis.

Gold standard: Appendectomy is the gold standard treatment for appendicitis. There are some instances when an operation is not the first choice, however. One such instance is when the appendix has burst and formed an abscess. In such cases, the patient can be treated with non-surgical drainage of the abscess and antibiotics. If someone is too ill to undergo surgery, a course of antibiotics may also be tried.

Antibiotics?: Not sure why surgery couldn't be done. Appendectomy remains the treatment of choice. However, there is some evidence that uncomplicated appendicitis can be treated successfully with antibiotics. If rupture and abscess formation occur, this can initially be treated with antibiotics and ct-guided catheter drainage if the abscess is large and accessible. Appendectomy is delayed several weeks.