> The conclusion of the study is that high doses of antibiotics is an effective way to prevent the appendix from rupturing without surgery.

I've been through a few million dollar surgeries and I had my appendix out as well. When you get a blocked appendix (appendicitis induced), you create scar tissue from the inevitably distended bile duct. Now you have an increased chance of it occurring again, and a weaker duct (scar tissue is generally weaker). This snowballs. Removal is the safe course after the first onset. This study assumes 2 things. First, that no major damage is done over the course of appendicitis attack(s). Second, the patient is compliant with a dietary restriction and an antibiotic course. Yes, you don't NEED to have your appendix out after the first attack if you eat right. The chances that a patient is compliant is less than 50% This is just a medical reality. People who take blood thinners have to be monitored, more for compliance than anything else, and there's a whole industry to the more dangerous conditions than appendicitis.