Nobody in their right mind would want appendicitis, but a new study says there is a way to have a fighting chance of avoiding surgery for it.
Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine found 7 in 10 appendicitis patients treated with antibiotics ultimately avoid surgery.
Of 1,552 participants from 14 states, about 71% of those who took antibiotics did not have surgery within three months.
What's more, UPI reports participants in the antibiotic group missed about 3 1/2 fewer days of work.
With surgery, the appendix is fully removed.
But with antibiotics, appendicitis can return.
The researchers next want to study the frequency of reoccurrence.
