Appendicitis

Index

  1. What is appendicitis?
  2. Prognosis of the disease
  3. Symptoms of appendicitis
  4. Medical tests for appendicitis
  5. What causes appendicitis?
  6. Can appendicitis be prevented?
  7. Treatment of appendicitis
  8. What specialist treats it?

What is appendicitis?

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, an organ shaped like a small sac of tissue attached to the colon and located in the lower right side of the abdomen. It has no known function.

There are different types of appendicitis:

  • Catarrhal or congestive appendicitis: this is when the obstruction of the appendix begins and the mucus it secretes cannot flow and begins to accumulate, developing bacteria and the inflammatory process.
  • Phlegmonous or fibrinous appendicitis: the appendix gradually distends increasing the pressure inside and prevents the blood from spreading properly.
  • Gangrenous or microscopically perforated appendicitis: the walls of the appendix are weakened due to lack of blood and increased internal pressure.
  • Perforated appendicitis: the walls of the appendix rupture and release the entire interior of the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis.

Prognosis of the disease

The prognosis of acute appendicitis is favorable provided that the diagnosis of the process is made early and surgical intervention is performed without loss of time. Late diagnosis or surgical intervention when the process is very advanced can lead to peritonitis.

Likewise, the use of antibiotics during the disease can contribute to the formation of an appendiceal abscess, which will hinder the diagnosis and, above all, the intervention and postoperative period. Today, with powerful modern antibiotics, complications such as peritonitis and periappendicular abscess evolve more rapidly towards definitive cure.

Symptoms of appendicitis

Initially, the affected person will notice pain around the navel, ranging from mild to severe as the condition progresses. Subsequently, the discomfort will move to the appendix. The problem arises when the organ rots inside the abdomen and the thin tissue lining the abdominal cavity also becomes inflamed. This is known as peritonitis, and in this case, the pain worsens and the patient’s life is in danger.

Other symptoms that appendicitis may cause, among others, include:

  • Lack of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Chills
  • Fever

Medical tests for appendicitis

The diagnosis of appendicitis is not easy to make, since the symptoms and the point at which the patient feels the pain could be attributed to other pathologies. However, after a careful clinical visit, the physician will be able to perform different tests and diagnostic procedures on the patient:

  • Physical examination to evaluate the pain
  • Blood tests
  • Urinalysis
  • Imaging tests: abdominal X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
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What are the causes of appendicitis?

Appendicitis is caused by a blockage or obstruction in the appendix that causes infection. The appendix fills with a buildup of mucus that causes it to swell.

Can it be prevented?

Some tips for preventing appendicitis are:

  • Eat a diet rich in fiber, including fruits and vegetables and, above all, whole grains, since these foods facilitate greater movement in the digestive process. It has been shown that the prevalence of appendicitis is lower in people with diets high in fiber.
  • During the treatment process and, especially in the initial stages, it is important to take antibiotics to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms in the digestive tract that are responsible for infections and thus prevent the disease from worsening.
  • Avoid stress and maintain adequate rest.

Treatments for appendicitis

The most common treatment is the appendix operation, which consists of the removal of the appendix, through an intervention called appendectomy. It is performed to prevent the appendix from bursting. The operation is performed as open surgery or laparoscopically.

Laparoscopy is preferable to open surgery and is performed whenever possible. Laparoscopy is less invasive than open surgery and has shorter healing times. Several small incisions are made in the abdomen, which is then inflated with a gas to make the surgery easier to perform. The operation is performed with the help of a laparoscope, which is a small tube with a camera that transmits images to the surgeon.

In cases where the patient has already undergone abdominal surgery or if the appendix has already burst, it may not be possible to perform a laparoscopy. In such cases, open surgery, which consists of a single, much larger incision in the right lower abdomen, may be performed.

If the appendix has burst and an abscess has formed, it will be necessary to drain the latter before performing the appendectomy.

Which specialist treats it?

The specialist in charge of treating appendicitis may be a specialist in general surgery or in pediatric surgery if the patient is a child or adolescent.