Recurrent appendicitis treated with the homoeopathic medicine Iris tenax 30C: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: The non-acute variants of appendicitis include recurrent, subacute, and chronic appendicitis, which are rarely diagnosed and remain subjects of case reports. The diagnosis is complex and is based on history, clinical examination, and an ultrasonogram or computed tomography. Unlike the acute variety, a surgical emergency, these cases do not require immediate surgery. In the present case, the patient had pain in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) of the abdomen in January 2021, which was relieved with conventional medications. However, the pain recurred after 2½ months and was diagnosed as recurrent appendicitis. Case Summary: This case of recurrent appendicitis was treated from April to August 2021 at the National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam, Kerala, with the homoeopathic medicine Iris tenax (Iris-t). The patient presented with pain in the RLQ of the abdomen with mild to moderate tenderness. There was a marked improvement in symptoms of appendicitis in the 2nd week of starting homoeopathic treatment. Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homoeopathy–, a causal attribution inventory score, was used to assess the likelihood of attribution of the clinical outcome to homoeopathic medicine as per HOM-CASE guidelines. The ultrasonography report showed no evidence of appendicitis after treatment. The MONARCH score of +8/13 indicated a probable causal relationship between the medicine prescribed and the treatment outcome. The present case report shows the possible usefulness of the homoeopathic medicine Iris-t in cases with appendix pathology.