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Abstract

BACKGROUND:This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of conservative management as an alternative to surgery in treating acute uncomplicated appendicitis, a common surgical emergency worldwide.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the surgical unit at Medical Teaching Institute/Mardan Medical Complex from May to October 2024. Using non-probability convenient sampling, 140 patients were included, as determined by the WHO sample size calculator (5% margin of error). Participants with acute uncomplicated appendicitis (Alvarado score >5) were identified through clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Exclusions included patients with recurrent appendicitis or complicated cases involving perforation, abscesses, or peritonitis.
RESULTS: A total of 140 patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis were included in the study, comprising 83 (59.3%) males and 57 (40.7%) females. The age distribution was as follows: <20 years (8.6%), 20–30 years (47.9%), 31–40 years (30.7%), and >40 years (12.9%), with a mean age of 29.4 ± 7.9 years. The mean duration of symptoms at presentation was 13.9 ± 8.2 hours. All patients received intravenous antibiotics, analgesics, and fluids for at least 48 hours. Conservative management was successful in 87 (62.1%) patients, while 38 (27.1%) experienced treatment failure, and 15 (10.7%) had recurrent acute appendicitis.
CONCLUSION: Our study underscores the effectiveness of conservative management in acute uncomplicated appendicitis, with a success rate of 62.1% using intravenous antibiotics, analgesics, and fluids. While 27.1% of patients required surgery due to treatment failure and 10.7% experienced recurrence, most avoided immediate surgical intervention. This approach not only proves clinically effective but also offers substantial cost benefits.