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WHAT IS
APPENDIX
The appendix is a small,
tube-like structure attached to the first part of
the large intestine, also called the colon. The
appendix is located in the lower right portion of
the abdomen, it has no known function. Removal of
the appendix appears to cause no change in digestive
function. |
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WHAT IS
APPENDICTIS
Appendicitis is an
inflammation of the appendix. Once it starts, there
is no effective medical therapy, so appendicitis is
considered a medical emergency. When treated
promptly, most patients recover without difficulty.
If treatment is delayed the appendix can burst,
causing infection and even death. Appendicitis is
the most common acute surgical emergency of the
abdomen. |
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WHO IS MOST AT
RISK
Anyone can get appendicitis,
but it occurs most often between the ages of 10 and
30. it is most commonly seen in the second decade of
life (adolescence) through it can occur in any age
group. |
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WHAT IS THE
CAUSE OF APPENDICITIS
The cause of
appendicitis relates to blockage of the inside of
the appendix known as the lumen. The blockage leads
to increased pressure impaired blood flow, and
rupture (breaking or tearing) of the appendix can
result.
Most commonly faeces blocks the inside
of the appendix. Also bacterial or viral infections
in the digestive tract can lead to swelling of lymph
nodes, which squeeze the appendix and cause
obstruction. Traumatic injury to the abdomen may
lead to appendicitis in a small number of people.
Genetics may be a factor in others. For example
appendicitis that runs in families may result from a
genetic variant that predisposes a person to
appendix. |
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WHAT ARE THE
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of appendicitis
may include pain in the abdomen first around the
belly button, then moving to the lower right area,
loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting constipation or
diarrhea, inability to pass gas, low fever that
begins after other symptoms, abdominal swelling.
Not everyone with appendicitis has all the symptoms.
The pain intensifies and worsens when moving taking
deep breaths, coughing or sneezing. The area becomes
very tender.
Laxatives and pain medications
should not be taken in this situation. Anyone with
these symptoms needs to see a qualified surgeon
immediately. |
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HOW IS THE
DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS MADE
Examination of the abdomen helps narrow the
diagnosis Location of the pain and tenderness is
important. Pain is a symptom described by a patient
tenderness is the response to being touched. Two
signs, called peritoneal signs. Suggest that the
lining of the abdomen is inflamed and surgery may be
needed rebound tenderness and guarding. These are
valuable indicators of inflammation but not all
patients have them. In addition a raised total blood
count confirms the diagnosis. Appendicitis is the
commonest abdominal emergency and requires immediate
surgery. |
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ANY SPECIAL
TEST ARE REQUESTED
An ultrasound &
CT scan abdomen may help in reaching the diagnosis
in case the clinical examination and other
investigations are inconclusive. |
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WHAT IS THE
TREATMENT FOR APPENDICITIS SURGERY
Acute
appendicitis is treated by surgery to remove the
appendix. The operation may be performed through a
standard small incision in the right lower part of
the abdomen or it may be performed using a
laparoscope which requires three to four smaller
incisions. If other conditions are suspected in
addition to appendicitis they may be identified
using laparoscope. Laparoscopy is preferred to open
surgery because the incision is smaller, recovery
time is quicker and less pain medication is
required. |
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ANTIBIOTICS
AND OTHER TREATMENT
If the
diagnosis is uncertain people may be watched and
sometimes treated with antibiotics. This approach is
taken when the doctor suspects that the patient's
symptoms may have it non surgical or medically
treatable cause. If the cause of the pain is
infectious, symptoms resolve with intravenous
antibiotics and intravenous fluids. In general
however appendicitis cannot be treated with
antibiotics alone and will require surgery. |
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WHAT ARE THE
COMPLICATIONS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS
The
most serious complication of appendicitis is
rupture. The appendix bursts or tears if
appendicitis is not diagnosed quickly and goes
untreated. Infants, young children and older adults
are at highest risk. A ruptured appendix can lead to
peritonitis and abscess. Peritonitis is a dangerous
infection that happens when bacteria and other
contents of the torn appendix leak into the abdomen.
In a few patients complications of appendicitis can
lead to organ failure and death. |
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IS IT SAFE TO
REMOVE APPENDIX
Appendix is a
vestigial organ (something which has no well defined
function) in humans and thus can be removed without
any consequence) |
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