Postoperative antibiotics can be de-escalated after laparoscopic surgery for complex appendicitis

Appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency globally, and surgery remains the mainstay of treatment in more than 98% of cases.1,2 However, variations in management are extremely common and are under-researched. For example, there is little agreement over the best preoperative diagnostic strategy, the role of antibiotics as a primary treatment, and how to best implement laparoscopic appendicectomy in low-income and middle-income countries. Evidence regarding the duration of antibiotics after surgery is scarce, and cautious behaviours tend to result in longer courses being prescribed.