Acute Appendicitis

Acute Appendicitis

The appendix is a narrow tubular pouch attached to the intestines. When the appendix is blocked, it becomes inflamed and results in the condition known as appendicitis. If the blockage continues, the inflamed tissue becomes infected with bacteria and begins to die from a lack of blood supply, which finally results in the appendix bursting.

Appendicitis is a common condition. People of any age may be affected, with the highest incidence occurring during the second and third decades of life.

Acute appendicitis is the most frequent cause of acute abdominal pain and is surgically treated as an emergency.

What causes appendicitis?

There is no clear cause of appendicitis. Fecal material is thought to be one possible obstructing object.

What does one experience?

Appendicitis typically begins with a vague pain in the middle of the abdomen often near the navel or "belly button" (umbilicus). The pain slowly moves to the right lower abdomen (toward the right hip) over the next 24 hours. In the classic description, abdominal pain is accompanied with nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and fever. Although symptoms may vary from person to person.

When to Seek Medical Care ?

If there are acute symptoms of middle/lower or right/lower abdominal pain with fever and/or vomiting.

If symptoms of abdominal pain continue for more than four hours, an urgent medical evaluation should be done in the hospital's emergency department.

How is it diagnosed?

The diagnosis of appendicitis is made by the doctor, observing the symptoms from the findings obtained in clinical examination and tests.

How is it treated?

Surgery

The best treatment for appendicitis requires surgery to remove the appendix (the operation is called an appendectomy) before the appendix opens or ruptures. Surgery is commonly done. However, in some cases it may be necessary to do an open abdominal procedure to take the appendix out.

What are the benefits of laparoscopic surgery ?

Very little of the muscles in the abdominal wall are cut during laparoscopic Appendectomy which

• increased cosmetic satisfaction
• decrease in the postoperative wound-infection rate.
• shortens the hospital stay
• less pain, less chance of forming a hernia
• ability to go back to your normal activities and to work much quicker.

How much time is taken for surgery?

It takes 25 to 35 minutes in laparoscopic surgery

Can Appendicitis be prevented?

There is no way of predicting when appendicitis will occur. It cannot be prevented.

• With uncomplicated appendicitis, most people recover with no long-term problems.
• If the appendix ruptures, there is a greater than 10 times risk of complications, including death. This increase in risk generally is found in the very young, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, including people with diabetes.
• So when diagnosed ,surgical removal as soon as possible is the ideal treatment recommended.