What are the early signs of appendicitis in kids. How is appendicitis diagnosed in children. When should you seek medical care for suspected appendicitis. What complications can occur if appendicitis is left untreated. How is appendicitis treated in pediatric patients.

Understanding Appendicitis: A Common Pediatric Emergency

Appendicitis is a medical condition that occurs when the appendix becomes blocked and infected. The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch connected to the large intestine on the lower right side of the abdomen. While its exact function is not fully understood, it may play a role in the immune system during childhood. Appendicitis can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in children and teens between 5 and 20 years old.

Recognizing appendicitis quickly is crucial, as it can progress rapidly and lead to serious complications if left untreated. Parents and caregivers should be aware of the signs and symptoms, as early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing potentially life-threatening situations.

Causes and Risk Factors of Appendicitis in Young Patients

The exact cause of appendicitis is not always clear, but it typically occurs when the appendix becomes blocked. This blockage can lead to increased pressure, reduced blood flow, and bacterial growth, resulting in inflammation and infection. Some potential causes of appendiceal obstruction include:

• Hardened stool or fecal matter
• Enlarged lymphoid follicles in the intestines
• Parasitic infections
• Foreign objects
• Tumors (rarely)

Is appendicitis contagious? No, appendicitis is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person. However, certain factors may increase the risk of developing appendicitis, such as a family history of the condition or a diet low in fiber.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Appendicitis in Children

The symptoms of appendicitis can be similar to other gastrointestinal issues, making it challenging to diagnose. However, there are some characteristic signs that parents should watch for:

• Abdominal pain, typically starting around the navel and moving to the lower right side
• Low-grade fever (usually below 101째F or 38.3째C)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea (often with small amounts of mucus)
• Abdominal swelling
• Constipation or difficulty passing gas

How does the pain of appendicitis typically progress? The pain often begins as a dull ache around the belly button, gradually becoming more severe and localized to the lower right abdomen. This progression usually occurs over 12-24 hours.

Red Flags: When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Parents should be vigilant for signs that may indicate a more serious situation, such as a ruptured appendix. These include:

• Sudden, severe pain that spreads across the entire abdomen
• High fever (104째F or 40째C or higher)
• Rigid, board-like abdomen
• Excessive vomiting
• Signs of dehydration
• Pale or bluish skin color

If any of these symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek emergency medical care immediately.

Diagnostic Procedures for Appendicitis in Pediatric Patients

Diagnosing appendicitis in children can be challenging due to the similarity of symptoms with other conditions. Physicians employ a combination of clinical evaluation and diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis:

1. Physical examination: The doctor will palpate the abdomen to check for tenderness and signs of inflammation.
2. Medical history: A detailed account of symptoms and their progression is essential.
3. Blood tests: These can indicate the presence of infection through elevated white blood cell counts.
4. Urine tests: To rule out urinary tract infections, which can mimic appendicitis symptoms.
5. Imaging studies:
   • Ultrasound: Often the first-line imaging test for children, as it doesn’t involve radiation.
   • CT scan: Provides detailed images but involves radiation exposure.
   • MRI: May be used in some cases, especially for pregnant teens.

Why is early diagnosis crucial in appendicitis? Early diagnosis allows for prompt treatment, reducing the risk of complications such as perforation and abscess formation.

Treatment Options and Surgical Interventions for Pediatric Appendicitis

The primary treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the infected appendix, known as an appendectomy. This procedure is typically performed as soon as possible after diagnosis to prevent complications.

Types of Appendectomy Procedures

1. Laparoscopic appendectomy: This minimally invasive procedure involves making small incisions and using a camera and special instruments to remove the appendix. It often results in faster recovery and less postoperative pain.
2. Open appendectomy: In some cases, such as when the appendix has already ruptured, a traditional open surgery may be necessary.

What is the typical hospital stay for a child undergoing an appendectomy? Most children who undergo a laparoscopic appendectomy can go home within 24-48 hours after surgery. Those with complicated appendicitis may require a longer stay.

Preoperative and Postoperative Care

Before and after surgery, children with appendicitis receive supportive care, which may include:

• Intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration
• Antibiotics to treat the infection and prevent complications
• Pain medication as needed
• Gradual reintroduction of food and liquids

In cases of perforated appendicitis, a course of intravenous antibiotics may be necessary before surgery to control the spread of infection.

Potential Complications and Long-Term Outlook

While appendicitis is a serious condition, most children recover fully with prompt treatment. However, potential complications can occur, especially if diagnosis and treatment are delayed:

• Peritonitis: Inflammation of the abdominal lining due to a ruptured appendix
• Abscess formation: Collection of pus near the site of the appendix
• Sepsis: A life-threatening systemic infection
• Bowel obstruction: Rare but possible complication due to scar tissue formation

What is the recurrence rate of appendicitis after an appendectomy? The recurrence of appendicitis after a complete appendectomy is extremely rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases.

Prevention and Lifestyle Considerations

While there is no surefire way to prevent appendicitis, some lifestyle factors may help reduce the risk:

• Maintaining a healthy diet rich in fiber
• Staying well-hydrated
• Practicing good hygiene to prevent infections
• Seeking prompt medical attention for persistent abdominal pain or other concerning symptoms

Can appendicitis be prevented through dietary changes or supplements? While a high-fiber diet may reduce the risk of appendicitis, there is no guaranteed method of prevention. The best approach is to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical care when necessary.

Education and Awareness: Empowering Parents and Caregivers

Educating parents, caregivers, and children about appendicitis is crucial for early recognition and prompt treatment. Some key points to remember include:

• Being aware of the signs and symptoms of appendicitis
• Understanding that appendicitis can mimic other conditions
• Knowing when to seek medical attention
• Recognizing that appendicitis is a medical emergency requiring immediate care

How can schools and community organizations help raise awareness about appendicitis? Educational programs, health fairs, and distribution of informational materials can help increase public knowledge about appendicitis and its symptoms.

By understanding the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for appendicitis in children and teens, parents and caregivers can play a crucial role in ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment. While appendicitis can be a frightening experience, with proper medical care, most children recover fully and can return to their normal activities within a few weeks.

Appendicitis In Kids and Teens (for Parents)

en español: La apendicitis en niños y adolescentes

Medically reviewed by: Ryan J. Brogan, DO

Primary Care Pediatrics at Nemours Children’s Health

What Is Appendicitis? 

Appendicitis is when the appendix gets blocked and becomes infected.

The appendix is a small organ attached to the large intestine in the lower right side of the belly.

Appendicitis is an emergency. It’s important to know what to look for and get medical care right away.

What Causes Appendicitis?

When the appendix gets blocked, too much bacteria can grow and cause an infection. Some of the things that might block the appendix are:

• hard, rock-like stool (poop)
• swollen lymph nodes in the intestines
• parasites and other infections

Appendicitis is not contagious. Kids can’t catch it from someone who has it.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Appendicitis?

The first signs of appendicitis are often a mild fever and pain around the belly button. It might seem like just a stomachache. But with appendicitis, the pain usually gets worse and moves to the lower right side of the belly.

If your child has belly pain, be on the lookout for these signs of appendicitis: 

• strong pain, mainly around the belly button or in the lower right part of the belly (the pain might come and go at first, then grow steady and intense)
• low-grade fever
• loss of appetite
• nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (throwing up)
• diarrhea (especially small amounts, with mucus)
• swollen belly

If pain spreads across the belly, it may mean the appendix has burst. Doctors call this ruptured appendicitis, and it’s serious. A high fever reaching 104°F (40°C) is another sign of a burst appendix. 

Call your doctor right away if you think your child has appendicitis. The sooner it’s caught, the easier it will be to treat.

What Problems Can Happen With Appendicitis?

If an infected appendix isn’t removed, it has the potential to burst about 48 to 72 hours after symptoms first start. This can spread
bacteriainside the body. The infection might form a large collection of pus (an abscess) or spread throughout the belly.

Who Gets Appendicitis?

Appendicitis mostly affects kids and teens between 5 and 20 years old. It is rare in infants.

How Is Appendicitis Diagnosed?

The symptoms of appendicitis can be a lot like those of other medical problems (like kidney stones, pneumonia, or a urinary tract infection). So it can be a challenge for doctors to diagnose.

To find out if a child has appendicitis, a doctor will examine the belly for signs of pain and tenderness. The doctor will order blood tests and urine tests. Some kids also get an X-ray of the abdomen and chest, an ultrasound, or a CAT scan.

The medical team may tell you not to give your child any food or drink. This is in case your child needs surgery.

How Is Appendicitis Treated?

A surgeon will operate to take out the infected appendix. This is called an appendectomy. Most of the time, surgeons use a small device called a laparoscope to remove the appendix through a small cut on the belly. Kids who get this surgery usually stay in the hospital for a day.

The care team may give your child intravenous (IV) fluids and antibiotics before and after surgery. This helps prevent problems such as an infection. Kids get pain medicine if they need it.

A child who had a burst appendix might need to stay in the hospital longer after an appendectomy. That gives the antibiotics time to kill any bacteria that spread into the body.

Can Appendicitis Be Prevented?

There is no way to prevent appendicitis. But when kids get the right medical care quickly, doctors usually find and treat it without problems.

Medically reviewed by: Ryan J. Brogan, DO

Date reviewed: April 2022

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Appendicitis | Johns Hopkins Medicine

What is appendicitis?

The appendix is a thin tube that is joined to the large intestine. It sits in the lower right part of your belly (abdomen). When you are a young child, your appendix is a working part of your immune system, which helps your body to fight disease. When you are older, your appendix stops doing this and other parts of your body keep helping to fight infection.

The appendix can get infected. If not treated it can burst (rupture). This can happen as soon as 48 to 72 hours after you have symptoms. Because of this, appendicitis is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms, see a doctor right away to avoid more infection, which can be life-threatening.

What causes appendicitis?

Appendicitis happens when the inside of your appendix is blocked. Appendicitis may be caused by various infections such as virus, bacteria, or parasites, in your digestive tract. Or it may happen when the tube that joins your large intestine and appendix is blocked or trapped by stool. Sometimes tumors can cause appendicitis.

The appendix then becomes sore and swollen. The blood supply to the appendix stops as the swelling and soreness get worse. Without enough blood flow, the appendix starts to die. The appendix can burst or develop holes or tears in its walls, which allow stool, mucus, and infection to leak through and get inside the belly. The result can be peritonitis, a serious infection.

Who is at risk for appendicitis?

Appendicitis affects 1 in 1,000 people living in the U.S. Most cases of appendicitis happen to people between the ages of 10 and 30 years. Having a family history of appendicitis may raise your risk, especially if you are a man. For a child, having cystic fibrosis also seems to raise the risk of getting appendicitis.

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?

The following are common symptoms of appendicitis. Your own symptoms may vary.

Pain in the abdomen is the most common symptom. This pain:

• May start in the area around your belly button and move to the lower right-hand side of your belly. It may also start in the lower right-hand side of your belly.
• Often gets worse as time goes on.
• May feel worse when you are moving, taking deep breaths, being touched, and coughing or sneezing.
• May be felt all over your belly if your appendix bursts.

Other common symptoms include:

• Upset stomach and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fever and chills
• Trouble having a bowel movement (constipation)
• Loose stool (diarrhea)
• Trouble passing gas
• Swollen belly

Do not take pain medicines. They may hide other symptoms your healthcare provider needs to know about.

Appendicitis symptoms may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider to be sure.

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your past health and do a physical exam. He or she may also have you take the following tests:

• Blood tests: To check for signs of infection, such as having a high white blood cell count.
• Urine tests: To see if you have a urinary tract infection.

You may also have some imaging tests, including:

• Abdominal ultrasound: Lets the doctor see internal organs as they work and checks how blood is flowing through different blood vessels.
• CT scan: Shows detailed images of any part of the body, such as the bones, muscles, fat, and organs.
• MRI: Sometimes used to diagnose appendicitis, especially in a pregnant woman, instead of CT scan.

How is appendicitis treated?

Appendicitis is a medical emergency. It is likely the appendix will burst and cause a serious, deadly infection. For this reason, in almost all situations, your healthcare provider will advise that you have surgery to remove your appendix.

The appendix may be removed in an open procedure or using laparoscopy:

• Open (traditional) surgery method. You are given anesthesia. A cut (incision) is made in the lower right-hand side of your belly. The surgeon finds the appendix and takes it out. If the appendix has burst, a small tube (shunt) may be placed to drain out pus and other fluids in the belly. The shunt will be taken out in a few days, when your surgeon feels the infection has gone away.
• Laparoscopic method. You are given anesthesia. This surgery uses several small cuts (incisions) and a camera (laparoscope) to look inside your belly. The surgical tools are placed through a few small incisions. The laparoscope is placed through another incision. A laparoscopy can often be done even if the appendix has burst.

If your appendix has not burst then your recovery from an appendectomy will only take a few days. If your appendix has burst, your recovery time will be longer and you will  need antibiotic medicine.

You can live a normal life without your appendix. Changes in diet or exercise are usually not needed.

Complications of Appendicitis

The main problem with appendicitis is the risk of a burst appendix. This may happen if the appendix is not removed quickly. A burst appendix can lead to infection in the belly, called peritonitis. Peritonitis can be very serious and even cause death if not treated right away.

Can appendicitis be prevented?

At this time, there is no known way to stop appendicitis from happening.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

If you have any of the symptoms of appendicitis listed above, call your healthcare provider right away. Or go to an emergency department. Appendicitis is a serious medical emergency. It should be treated as quickly as possible.

Key Points About Appendicitis

Appendicitis is when your appendix becomes sore, swollen, and diseased.

• It is a medical emergency. You must seek care right away.
• It happens when the inside of your appendix gets filled with something that causes it to swell, such as mucus, stool, or parasites.
• Most cases of appendicitis happen between the ages of 10 and 30 years.
• It causes pain in the belly, but each person may have different symptoms.
• Your health care provider will advise that you have surgery to remove your appendix.
• You can live a normal life without your appendix.

Next Steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the names of new medicines, treatments, or tests, and any new instructions your provider gives you.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Which side is appendicitis

Appendicitis is an acute pathology that requires immediate surgical intervention. If steps are not taken to remove the appendix from the person’s body, life-threatening complications, such as peritonitis, can occur.

Inflammation can occur at any age, but is more common in people 10-19 years of age. The appendix of the large intestine becomes inflamed. The organ affects the functioning of the immune system and helps the body fight infection.

Causes of appendicitis

The exact causes of the development of the inflammatory process are still unclear. But there are several common options:

• Imbalance of microflora – bacteria, which in a normal environment are harmless, become poisonous and cause inflammation.

• Vasospasm – causes a deterioration in tissue nutrition. Some areas die off and become a focus of infection.

• Stagnation in the intestine – feces, foreign bodies, neoplasms or parasites can close the lumen of the appendix. At the site of closure, mucus accumulates, where the microbiome begins to multiply. The narrowing and squeezing of the process disrupts the processes of blood circulation, lymph flow, which leads to a rapid progression of inflammation and necrosis of the tissues of the appendix.

A predisposing factor will be frequent constipation, which form fecal stones.

Symptoms of appendicitis

The appendix is ​​located in the lower abdomen. The first symptom is unbearable pain that appears in the navel and extends to the lower right side of the abdomen. The pain gets worse in a short time, when moving, taking a deep breath, coughing or sneezing.

Other typical symptoms:

• nausea up to vomiting

• decreased or complete lack of appetite

• constipation or conversely diarrhea

• flatulence, painful bloating

• fever, chills, symptoms of intoxication

• urge to defecate

Signs of the inflammatory process of the appendix in men and women may differ. For example, women experience nausea, vomiting, and fever. At the beginning of the development of the disease, the pain is pressing, pulling, and even not necessarily on the right side, which can be mistakenly recognized as gynecological problems.

Then the pain can become cramping, such symptoms most often occur in the evening or at night.

In men with acute inflammation, there is severe pain in the abdomen, spontaneous pulling up of the right testicle. When pulling the scrotum, there is discomfort and pain in the anus and a pronounced urge to empty the intestines.

In older people, the symptoms of appendicitis may be less pronounced: minor pain, mild nausea. At the same time, appendicitis in the elderly is often characterized by a severe course and the development of complications.

In children under 5 years of age, the symptoms of appendicitis are not as pronounced as in adults. Pain often does not have a clear localization. You can recognize appendicitis in a small child by fever, diarrhea, and the presence of plaque on the tongue.

Types of pathology

Acute appendicitis – develops rapidly, is manifested by pronounced symptoms. With inaction, pain intensifies and inflammation can lead to serious complications.

By its nature, acute appendicitis can be complicated and uncomplicated. Uncomplicated pathology, in turn, has 2 forms: catarrhal (only the mucous membrane becomes inflamed), destructive (deeper layers are affected).

Chronic is a rather rare form. In most cases, it develops as a result of acute appendicitis in the absence of treatment. Has the same symptoms, but they manifest themselves very sluggishly. There are periods of exacerbation and remission, like any chronic disease.

Chronic appendicitis is also divided into subspecies:

• Residual – a consequence of acute appendicitis, which ended in self-healing. Manifested by dull aching pain in the right iliac region.

• Recurrent – is paroxysmal in nature: from time to time there are exacerbations, followed by remission.

• Primary chronic – develops independently, without the forerunner of acute appendicitis.

Diagnosis of appendicitis

The first thing the examination of the patient begins with is the examination and collection of anamnesis. The doctor asks to tell about when the symptoms appeared and how long the discomfort lasts. This is important to understand in order to distinguish the disease from something else.

It is important to consider other factors that could cause the development of appendicitis:

• Surgical operations in the abdomen, transferred in the recent past.

• Taking medications or supplements.

• Bad habits, abuse of alcohol, drugs, etc.

Feeling the abdomen will help determine the localization and intensity of pain, its characteristics. A pelvic and rectal examination may be needed. The final diagnosis is made only after the delivery of laboratory tests. Blood and urine tests can help detect signs of inflammation or other health problems.

Imaging methods may also be required – ultrasound of the abdominal organs, CT or MRI. They will allow:

• determine the condition of the appendix and assess its integrity

• detect signs of inflammation

• assess blockage within the appendix

• identify abscess or other complications

How to treat appendicitis?

Pathology requires immediate treatment, as the process may burst and its contents will spill into the abdominal cavity and peritonitis will begin. Therefore, the only solution is to remove the appendix surgically.

An appendectomy is a surgical operation to remove the appendix. It can be done in two ways:

1. classical – abdominal surgery

2. laparoscopic, when there are no large incisions

Abdominal surgery is performed in case of a rupture of the appendix and if its contents have spilled into the abdominal cavity, and also if the rupture has caused an abscess.

Laparoscopy is considered the most modern method of removing the appendix due to various reasons: less invasiveness, faster recovery, and fewer complications.

The operation is carried out as follows:

• the surgeon makes small incisions through which access to the appendix appears

• camera is introduced with backlight

• other tools remove the process

• areas are treated to decontaminate infectious material

• the operated area is examined, sutures are applied

Appendicitis prophylaxis

There is no special prevention, appendicitis can happen to anyone. It is best to give up bad habits, follow proper nutrition. A sufficient content of fiber, fresh vegetables and fruits, dairy products supports normal bowel function, prevents constipation.

Also, preventive measures include the timely treatment of any infectious and inflammatory diseases, gastrointestinal pathologies and helminthic invasions.

Treatment of appendicitis in Krasnoyarsk

To undergo the diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis, please contact the Mediunion Medical Center. We have experienced doctors who will conduct a complete examination and examination, friendly medical staff.

You can register in one of the ways convenient for you:

• Online on our website medyunion.ru. Fill out the electronic form, indicating your contact details, doctor’s specialization, convenient date and time for an appointment.

• Request a call back with your name and phone number. Our managers will call you back within 15 minutes and answer your questions.

• Call the medical clinic reception at +7 391 203-01-01.

Acute appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is an acute inflammation of the appendix (vermiform appendix of the caecum), requiring urgent surgical treatment, one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the abdominal organs.

What is the “appendix” and why does it become inflamed?

The appendix arises from the lower end of the caecum (the beginning of the large intestine). It is believed that the appendix is ​​one of the links of the immune system, since the mucous membrane of the appendix is ​​rich in lymphoid tissue. It is generally accepted that inflammation of the appendix may occur due to blockage of the appendix lumen by enlarged lymphoid tissue, fecal stones (hard stools resulting from chronic constipation), a foreign body, and sometimes helminths. Blockage leads to expansion of the appendix cavity, the rapid development of infection and inflammation. However, the exact cause of this common disease is not clear.

Symptoms of acute appendicitis

Manifestations of acute appendicitis depend on the location of the appendix, the time elapsed from the onset of the disease, the severity of the inflammatory process in the appendix and the involvement of nearby organs and peritoneum, as well as the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases.

Since the appendix is ​​a mobile organ, its inflammation can mimic almost any disease. In some cases, doctors have difficulty in making a diagnosis, since the main symptom of appendicitis – pain – can occur not only in the right lower abdomen, where it should be located according to the anatomy of the caecum, but also in the navel, in the groin, above the pubis , in the lower back, in the right hypochondrium and disguised as diseases of the liver, kidneys, female genital organs.

As a rule, the disease begins with the appearance of pain in the upper abdomen, which gradually increases, moves to the right iliac region (right lower quadrant of the abdomen). The pain is aggravated by coughing and movement. Usually there is a subfebrile body temperature of 37.2-37.5 ° C. Examination of the abdomen reveals involuntary tension of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and pain in the right iliac region. The pain is constant and may be accompanied by nausea and sometimes vomiting. There is often loss of appetite and refusal to eat, as well as stool retention caused by restriction of intestinal motility due to inflammation spreading through the peritoneum.

Unfortunately, these classic signs of appendicitis are observed in just over half of patients with acute appendicitis. The pain may not have a clear localization, especially in children under 3 years of age. In elderly and senile patients, reduced reactivity of the body, connective tissue replacement of all layers of the appendix wall and its blood vessels contribute to poor symptoms of acute appendicitis and a large number of complicated forms. In pregnant women in the second and third trimesters, a uterine appendix may cause an atypical clinical picture. Therefore, so often patients with acute appendicitis come to the emergency surgery department already with complications (perforation of the appendix, peritonitis).

What is “phlegmonous” and “gangrenous” appendicitis?

If the patient’s symptoms of appendicitis are mild, but, nevertheless, the inflammatory process develops (the pain is not very strong, there is no nausea and vomiting), he is in no hurry to seek medical help, and then catarrhal appendicitis turns into a phlegmonous form. The appendix fills with pus and ulcerates. Inflammation begins to spread to the surrounding tissues: the walls of the intestine, the peritoneum. The pain becomes more pronounced, aggravated by the tension of the abdominal muscles; in thin people, the inflamed process can be felt as a dense roller.

Phlegmonous appendicitis can turn into a gangrenous form, when the inflammatory process develops already in the abdominal cavity. With gangrenous appendicitis, there is a decrease or complete absence of pain associated with the death of the nerve endings of the appendix, but signs of general intoxication come to replace, worsening of the general condition: weakness , pallor, bloating. If at this stage the patient is not helped, the patient’s life is at risk due to the development of peritonitis.

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

If acute appendicitis is suspected, the patient must be urgently admitted to a surgical hospital. In the EMC Surgical Clinic, emergency operations are performed around the clock for acute appendicitis and its complications.

At the stage before hospitalization, even in the presence of a pronounced pain syndrome, one should not take painkillers, as this may complicate the diagnosis of the disease. You should also not use antibiotics, as this can blur the picture with the further development of complications (perforation of the process, diffuse peritonitis).

Diagnosis begins with a thorough questioning and examination, as well as taking a blood test (a complete blood count usually reflects inflammation – an increase in the number of leukocytes, leukocytosis occurs). In the classic course of acute appendicitis (high temperature and pain in the right iliac region from tolerable to very strong), the diagnosis is not difficult. For patients with questionable or unclear symptoms, doctors may order an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound and/or computed tomography when admitted to the hospital.

In some cases, a diagnostic Laparoscopy can be performed, a diagnostic procedure in which a thin fiber optic tube with a camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a small opening in the abdominal wall. Laparoscopy allows you to see the appendix and other organs of the abdominal cavity and pelvis and assess their condition.

Acute Appendicitis Emergency

Surgery to remove an appendix (inflamed appendix) is called an “appendectomy” in which the inflamed appendix is ​​removed.

In the presence of perforation (rupture) of the appendix, the surgical intervention becomes technically more difficult to perform. There is a need for a thorough “washing” of the abdominal cavity from pus. Consequently, both the operation itself and recovery can be delayed.

Removal of the appendix is ​​preceded by intravenous antibiotics to prevent complications. If there is a perforation of the appendix, antibiotic treatment continues until the blood tests normalize (approximately 5-7 days).