Abstract
Although treatment for appendiceal abscess is primarily surgery, the operative procedures are difficult and we often have great difficulties in dealing with postoperative complications. Recently clinical reports on interval appendectomy for appendiceal abscess are encountered, which comprises conservative therapy followed by elective appendectomy. In our institution, 13 cases of appendiceal abscess were treated by conservative treatment since 2007, in order to decrease postoperative complications. In doing so, these patients were given antibiotics after complete fasting and percutaneous drainage was done if it was necessary. Improvement of the abscess was gained in 11 patients by antibiotics alone, but one patient needed drainage, and one patient experienced intestinal obstruction associated with a decrease in size of the abscess. A mean hospital stay was 8 days. In eight patients of them, interval appendectomy was performed under laparoscopy, and all eight patients were discharged from the hospital within 4 days after the operation, without having postoperative complications. No patients needed ileocecal excision. The nonsurgical treatment for appendiceal abscess is a safe and effective therapy and interval appendectomy can be done safely.
