Treating Appendicitis: Comparing Surgery With Antibiotic Treatment
Medically reviewed by: Loren Berman, MD
Appendicitis is when the appendix gets blocked and becomes infected. The appendix is a small organ attached to the large intestine in the lower right side of the belly.
Someone who has appendicitis needs treatment. Without it, they can become very sick. Usually, treating appendicitis means surgery, but sometimes kids with appendicitis have the option of surgery or antibiotics.
Your care team will talk with you about your child’s treatment options. This chart can help:
| Things to Consider | Surgery | Antibiotics Only |
| How is the treatment done? | In the operating room, the child gets anesthesia and a dose or two of antibiotics. Then, the surgeon makes 1–3 small incisions in the belly and removes the appendix. | The child is admitted to the hospital (for up to 1–2 days) and gets IV antibiotics until symptoms improve. |