Antibiotics could be effective in treating appendicitis

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New Delhi: A study says that antibiotics may be effective in treating appendicitis in kids, instead of a surgery.

The condition, which causes the appendix -- a small organ attached to the large intestine -- to become inflamed due to a blockage or infection, affects mainly children and teenagers.

Appendicitis is currently treated through an operation to remove the appendix, known as an appendicectomy.

"Acute appendicitis is one of the most common general surgical emergencies worldwide and surgery has long been the gold standard of treatment. But it is invasive and costly, not to mention extremely daunting for the child concerned and their family," said lead researcher Nigel Hall, Associate Professor of Paediatric Surgery at the University of Southampton in Britain.

"Our review shows that antibiotics could be an alternative treatment method for children," Hall noted.

(With IANS inputs)