Inflamated Appendix mass Treat options

Dear Ask The Doctor: Dear Sir, My father (61yrs old) recently got severe stumoc ache and has been hospitalized. The doctor (Gastro entrolgist) diagnosed it as Inflamated appendix mass and prescribed antiboitics with liquid diet for 5 days and some tablets for 15 days. Doctor asked my father to visit after this prescription completed, but I’m scared that, my father is very lean and he may not able to sustain long liquid diet for such a long time. I am really worried about whats the next steps.. 1. Is it a serious issue or life threat? 2. Why the doctor is not doing surgery immidietly? 3. I read some papers published on this on internet, looks like sort of conservational treatment; do we need to do surgery after this treatment? 4. How long he needs to be in liquids? Can we give some solid food? Please advice, heartfelt appreciations for your response.

Dear Sasidhar: The standard treatment for an inflammed appendix mass is to treat with antibiotics and allow the inflamation to resolve. The appendix may then be removed at usually a 6 week interval. It is not advised to do surgery immediately has it can be highly technical and there is a greater risk of complications.

He need not be on a liquid diet for more than 5-7 days after which he may return to a normal diet as tolerated. As with any treatment, there is a risk that this treatment method can fail and thus emergency surgery would be required. Nonetheless this is a well recognized treatment option and one that works more often than not.