Read up on Appendicitis treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Appendicitis

Key points about treatments

If you have appendicitis, you will probably need surgery to take out your appendix. Most people recover well.

You can have surgery through a few small cuts in your abdomen (called laparoscopic surgery or keyhole surgery) or through one larger cut (called open surgery).
Keyhole surgery may cause less pain after your operation, and may allow you to leave the hospital sooner than if you have open surgery. It may also help prevent you from getting an infection where the surgeon cut your skin (a wound infection).
Being given antibiotics around the time of your surgery might reduce your chances of getting an infection afterward.
If you can't have surgery because you're not healthy enough, antibiotics alone can be used to treat appendicitis.

This information was last updated on Jul 02, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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