Non-operative Management of Complicated Appendicitis

This chapter explores the non-operative management of complicated appendicitis. There is currently no consensus on the best management of complicated appendicitis, including operative versus non-operative management and timing of surgery. Within non-operative management, potential areas of controversy include the identification of the correct patient in whom to pursue conservative management, the selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy, whether or not to pursue percutaneous drainage placement for an abscess, and whether or not interval appendectomy should be performed to prevent recurrent appendicitis in the future. These topics will be explored, with the hopes of leaving the reader with clear treatment guidelines.