In the individual case, it's dubious to suggest that surgery is a less conservative option than antibiotics. Yes, antibiotics are woefully over-used (though the overwhelming majority of their use — something on the order of 80% — is in livestock), but the physician's obligation to their patients is to treat their presenting problem, and in the way that is least harmful. Typically, that's taken to mean more conservative approaches first.
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In the individual case, it's dubious to suggest that surgery is a less conservative option than antibiotics. Yes, antibiotics are woefully over-used (though the overwhelming majority of their use — something on the order of 80% — is in livestock), but the physician's obligation to their patients is to treat their presenting problem, and in the way that is least harmful. Typically, that's taken to mean more conservative approaches first.