Table 1 Evidence based recommendations for treatment of appendiceal mass (1)

Recommendations/comments

Level of evidence

Phlegmone

Treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics is recommended

III(C)

Abscess

Treatment with antibiotics for appendiceal mass in the non-septic patients with abscess < 5 cm is recommended

II (B)

With smaller abscesses (< 5 cm) conservative treatment with antibiotics is probably as effective as drainage

II (B)

Larger abscesses (> 5 cm) may be treatment resistant to antibiotics and percutaneous drainage is recommended

IV (D)

Drainage has a low to moderate risk of major and minor complications

III (C)

Surgical intervention has a high risk of complications including a moderate risk of unnecessary intestinal resection, and should be restricted to selected patients

III (C)