In the general population in Spain, appendix removal for appendicitis is performed in 10 out of 10,000 patients. It is a fairly frequent pathology that affects, mostly, young people.
How does abdominal pain usually appear in appendicitis?
As a general rule, the pain appears suddenly around the navel, or in a diffuse abdominal form, is moderate and constant over time (4-6h). The pain usually moves to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen.
Appendicitis pain can be confused with gas or menstural pain, how to avoid it?
The patient with the abdominal pain described above and persistent pain in the right lower quadrant should be seen by a physician specializing in surgery or pediatric surgery to confirm the diagnosis of appendicitis and establish treatment. The diagnosis must always be confirmed by the specialist.
What other symptoms can appear besides abdominal pain?
Other symptoms that may appear in addition to pain are: loss of appetite, fever between 37.5° and 38°, diarrhea, nausea or abdominal contractures.
Importance of an early diagnosis in appendicitis
An early diagnosis of appendicitis will allow it to be removed before it perforates and causes peritonitis, with its many complications. If an appendicitis evolves, perforation of the appendix occurs between 12 hours and 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Thus, when the appendix perforates, it causes peritonitis, which can lead to life-threatening sepsis.
Treatment of appendicitis
The treatment for appendicitis is surgery, since the appendix must be removed. The surgeon, under general anesthesia, can make an opening of the abdomen (laparotomy) in the lower right quadrant, or perform a laparoscopy. This technique allows, through small incisions in the abdomen, known as ports, to introduce an optic that allows visualization of the interior of the abdominal cavity through the other incisions. The surgical instruments (forceps, aspirator, sutures or scalpel) necessary to remove the appendix are introduced through these ports. The technique is known as Appendectomy.
Appendectomy can be performed at a later stage if the appendix is already perforated and an abscess (accumulation of pus in the abdominal cavity) has occurred. Surgeons know it as appendiceal plastron: before removing the appendix, the surgeon always prefers to give the patient intravenous antibiotics to reduce the abscess and then proceed to remove the appendix at a later stage.
Why does appendicitis occur?
Appendicitis is caused by the obstruction of the lumen of the appendix itself. This is like a small tube. Imagine that the lumen of the tube (space inside the tube) becomes obstructed. The cause of this obstruction can be various: mechanical or infectious, or even tumorous.
Can anything be done to prevent appendicitis?
A diet rich in fruit and fiber (without ingesting small bones), cereals and vegetables, favors the movement in the digestive process.
Appendicitis, more common in young people
Appendicitis is more common in the young population, between 20 and 35 years old, but it can occur at any age. Diagnosis is more difficult in children (especially under 3 years of age), and also in the elderly.