Two-thirds of appendix removals 'unnecessary'

Two-thirds of appendix operations may be unnecessary and could be treated simply by using antibiotics, according to a new study.

Medical "dogma" and 130 years of tradition mean doctors often wrongly consider surgery to be the only course of action, academics write in the British Medical Journal.

They say there is now good evidence that treating "uncomplicated" cases of appendicitis with antibiotics tends to be better for the patient than surgery.

Uncomplicated appendicitis, where an inflammed appendix has not led to other problems such as perforation of the organ or a serious infection, account for 80 per cent of cases. The other 20 per cent are complicated cases, where surgery really is the only option.

Researchers wanted to see how patients with uncomplicated appendicitis fared if put on antibiotics instead of operated on. Read More