Does acute appendicitis require surgery?
Nov 03, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, whether surgery is needed for acute appendicitis depends on the specific condition. Patients with mild symptoms of simple acute appendicitis may first be treated non-surgically; however, if pus formation, perforation, or rapid progression of the disease occurs, surgical treatment is necessary. Patients with acute appendicitis should rest and avoid strenuous activities during treatment.
In general, whether surgery is required for acute appendicitis depends on the specific condition. For mild cases of simple acute appendicitis, non-surgical treatment may be attempted initially; however, if abscess formation, perforation, or rapid progression of the disease occurs, surgical intervention becomes necessary. The details are as follows:
If acute appendicitis is in its early stage with mild inflammation—manifesting only as slight pain in the lower right abdomen, without obvious symptoms such as fever, nausea, or vomiting—and diagnostic tests show no signs of abscess or perforation, intravenous antibiotics under medical supervision may be used to control the infection. Close monitoring of the patient's condition is essential, and surgery can be avoided temporarily.
When the condition worsens, with appendiceal suppuration, gangrene, or perforation leading to localized peritonitis, patients typically experience severe pain in the lower right abdomen, fever, and abdominal muscle rigidity. In such cases, non-surgical treatment is usually ineffective, and timely surgical removal of the appendix is necessary to prevent the spread of infection and more serious intra-abdominal complications.
Patients with acute appendicitis should rest adequately and avoid strenuous activities during treatment. A light, easily digestible diet is recommended to minimize gastrointestinal strain. After surgery, proper wound care is essential to promote recovery.
