Patient worries about waiting on appendectomy

A patient is concerned that waiting to have an appendectomy — as a doctor has prescribed — could lead to further health problems. In reality, the protocol for treating complicated appendicitis is changing, Dr. Keith Roach replies, and it may behoove the patient to wait.

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Lifestyle

July 13, 2023 - 2:41 PM

Photo by Picpedia.org / Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images

DEAR DR. ROACH: I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with appendicitis. I’ve been sick for three days. My surgeon said that although the CT scan showed a ruptured appendix, he wants me to take antibiotics for a week or so, and then come back in six to eight weeks for surgery.

I don’t want to wait! Wouldn’t it be better to get this done now? I’m in pain, and I’m worried I will get a very severe infection. Why do I need to wait? I always thought that when you have appendicitis, they operate right away. — D.S.

ANSWER: The optimal treatment of acute…

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