Nataliya Piletska and Claire Stewart
Evelina Children’s Hospital, UK
Title: The use of antibiotics in acute appendicitis
Biography
Biography: Nataliya Piletska and Claire Stewart
Abstract
The purpose of this audit was to investigate the use of antibiotics in the management of the most common surgical emergency, acute appendicitis. Data was compiled from all appendicectomies performed over a 12-month period at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, from Jan 2014-15. In the sample of 101 patients, 66 had been diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Of these patients, both electronic and paper-based information was collected regarding their antibiotic treatment. The most common bacteria cultured was Escherichia Coli, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, then mixed anaerobes. In a third of cases, no swabs were taken. 34% of swabs taken grew no bacteria. On average patients received a total of 5 days of intravenous followed by 4 days of oral antibiotic therapy. Co-amoxiclav and Gentamicin were the most frequently used antibiotics, commonly in combination, often alongside Metronidazole as ‘triple therapy’ (Table 1). This audit studies the bacteriological epidemiology of acute appendicitis, which antibiotics are most frequently prescribed during the admission and on discharge, their route, duration, frequency and any change to the regimen either indicated by bacteriological swab results or clinical picture. The aim is to guide and improve guidelines and indications for antibiotic management.