Acute Appendicitis

Also: appendix · RIF pain

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies. Clinical scores estimate the probability of appendicitis to target imaging and surgical review.

The diagnostic scores, relevant drugs and pathways are gathered here.

Calculators & scores

Alvarado Score for Acute Appendicitis

Abdominal Pain
Alvarado Score for Appendicitis

Abdominal
Modified Alvarado Score (MANTRELS) for Appendicitis

Diagnostic
RIPASA Score for Acute Appendicitis

Abdominal Pain
Alvarado Score for Appendicitis (MANTRELS)

Surgical
Alvarado Score (Appendicitis)

Appendicitis
AIR Score for Appendicitis

Diagnostic
Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS)

Paediatric Abdominal Pain
Pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator (pARC)

Surgical
Paediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS)

Appendicitis

Decision pathways

Acute Appendicitis

NICE / SCOAP guidelines
Acute Scrotum

BAUS 2018; EAU 2024

Drugs

Metronidazole Topical

Topical Antibiotic/Antiprotozoal — Rosacea
Co-amoxiclav 625mg (Augmentin)

Beta-lactam + beta-lactamase inhibitor antibiotic
Metronidazole

Antibiotic — Anaerobic Coverage
Gentamicin Ear Drops

Topical Aminoglycoside — Otitis Externa
Gentamicin with hydrocortisone

Topical otic antibiotic + corticosteroid
Co-Amoxiclav

Antibiotic (Penicillin + Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor)
Bismuth subcitrate potassium with metronidazole and tetracycline hydrochloride

Quadruple therapy for H. pylori (with PPI)
Co-amoxiclav (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate)

Beta-lactam + beta-lactamase inhibitor
Piperacillin/Tazobactam

Extended-spectrum beta-lactam + beta-lactamase inhibitor
Gentamicin

Aminoglycoside Antibiotic
Cefuroxime

Second-Generation Cephalosporin — Respiratory / Surgical Prophylaxis
Piperacillin with tazobactam

Antipseudomonal penicillin + β-lactamase inhibitor

Decision support only. These tools are aggregated by topic to aid navigation — always apply clinical judgement and the relevant national or local guideline.