[size=20px]A six-year old girl undergoes an uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomy for acute nonperforated appendicitis. She receives a single intravenous dose of cefoxitin twenty five minutes prior to the incision. Which of the following postoperative antibiotic regimens is most appropriate for nonperforated appendicitis?

 

A intravenous cefoxitin for five days

 

B oral ampicillin/sulbactam until discharge

 

C intravenous cefoxitin for one day

 

D no further antibiotics

 

E oral ampicillin/sulbactam for five days[/size]

D

correct answer

D no further antibiotics

 

It is universally accepted that a diagnosis of appendicitis mandates treatment with antibiotics. A Cochrane Database meta-analysis concluded that in children with acute, uncomplicated appendicitis, a single dose of broad spectrum antibiotics, including cefoxitin or piperacillin/tazobactam, given preoperatively is effective in decreasing wound infection and postoperative abscess. This meta-analysis concluded that there is no benefit of additional antibiotics.

 

Children with nonperforated appendicitis should be treated with broad spectrum antibiotics (including single antibiotic regimens) for no longer than 24 hours.