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Recent research suggests that antibiotic therapy is a reasonable alternative to operative management for uncomplicated appendicitis. In a prospective, observational study conducted in Italy, investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of observation and amoxicillin/clavulanate in 159 patients aged >14 years who presented to the emergency department in 2010 with right lower quadrant pain and presumed appendicitis (based on Alvarado score, appendicitis inflammatory response score, or both), but without peritonitis. If pain was unchanged or worse on day 5, patients underwent appendectomy; if symptoms recurred during the study period, patients were offered antibiotics or operative management. Telephone or e-mail follow-up continued for 2 yea…