What are the signs of appendicitis in kids. How is appendicitis diagnosed in children. What treatment options are available for pediatric appendicitis. How long does recovery take after an appendectomy in children. What complications can arise from untreated appendicitis.

What is Appendicitis and Who Does it Affect?

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 appendicitis can affect people of all ages, it most commonly occurs in children and teenagers between 5-20 years old. It is quite rare in infants.

Understanding what causes appendicitis and recognizing its symptoms is crucial, as it is considered a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment. Left untreated, appendicitis can lead to serious complications.

Common Causes of Appendicitis

Appendicitis develops when the appendix becomes obstructed, allowing bacteria to multiply rapidly and cause infection. Some potential causes of blockage include:

• Hardened stool
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the intestines
• Parasites
• Other types of infections

It’s important to note that appendicitis is not contagious – children cannot “catch” it from someone else who has it.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Appendicitis in Children

The early signs of appendicitis can be subtle and may mimic other common childhood ailments. This can make it challenging for parents to recognize when medical attention is needed. However, being aware of the typical progression of symptoms can help identify appendicitis early.

Initial Symptoms

The first signs of appendicitis often include:

• Mild fever
• Pain around the navel (belly button)

At this stage, the discomfort may seem like a typical stomachache. However, appendicitis pain tends to worsen over time and shift location.

Progressing Symptoms

As appendicitis advances, watch for these additional symptoms:

• Intensifying pain that moves to the lower right abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea (often in small amounts and containing mucus)
• Swollen belly
• Low-grade fever that may increase

When should you seek immediate medical care for suspected appendicitis? If your child experiences severe abdominal pain, especially if it spreads across the entire belly, or develops a high fever reaching 104°F (40°C), seek emergency medical attention. These symptoms could indicate a ruptured appendix, which is a serious complication requiring urgent treatment.

Diagnosing Appendicitis in Children

Diagnosing appendicitis in children can be challenging, as its symptoms often resemble other medical conditions like kidney stones, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections. To accurately diagnose appendicitis, doctors typically use a combination of physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies.

Physical Examination

The doctor will carefully examine your child’s abdomen, checking for signs of pain, tenderness, and swelling. They may also assess for rebound tenderness – pain that worsens when pressure is released – which can be indicative of appendicitis.

Laboratory Tests

Blood tests and urine tests are often ordered to help diagnose appendicitis. These can reveal signs of infection and inflammation, as well as rule out other potential causes of abdominal pain.

Imaging Studies

Depending on the situation, the doctor may recommend one or more of the following imaging tests:

• Abdominal X-ray
• Chest X-ray
• Ultrasound
• CT scan

These imaging studies can help visualize the appendix and surrounding tissues, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Treatment Options for Pediatric Appendicitis

Once appendicitis is diagnosed, prompt treatment is essential to prevent complications. The primary treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the infected appendix, known as an appendectomy.

Appendectomy Procedure

How is an appendectomy performed in children? Most appendectomies are now done laparoscopically, which involves making small incisions and using a camera and specialized instruments to remove the appendix. This minimally invasive approach typically results in a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

In some cases, particularly if the appendix has ruptured, a more extensive open surgery may be necessary.

Preoperative and Postoperative Care

Before and after surgery, your child may receive:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids to prevent dehydration
• Antibiotics to combat infection
• Pain medication as needed

Children who undergo laparoscopic appendectomy usually stay in the hospital for about a day. Those who experience complications or have a ruptured appendix may require a longer hospital stay to ensure proper healing and to complete a course of intravenous antibiotics.

Recovery After Appendectomy in Children

Recovery time after an appendectomy can vary depending on the individual child and the specific circumstances of their surgery. However, most children begin to feel better within a few days to a week after the procedure.

What to Expect During Recovery

During the initial recovery period, your child may experience:

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Shoulder pain (particularly after laparoscopic surgery)
• Fatigue
• Decreased appetite

How can you help manage your child’s pain after an appendectomy? Follow the surgeon’s recommendations for pain medication. If the prescribed pain relief is not effective, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

Returning to Normal Activities

While recovery times can vary, here are some general guidelines for resuming activities:

• Light activities: Within a few days
• School: Usually within a week
• Sports and strenuous activities: Typically 2-4 weeks, as advised by the doctor

Always follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions for your child’s recovery, as individual cases may vary.

Potential Complications of Untreated Appendicitis

Prompt treatment of appendicitis is crucial to prevent serious complications. If left untreated, an infected appendix can rupture within 48 to 72 hours after symptoms first appear.

Risks of a Ruptured Appendix

A ruptured appendix can lead to several severe complications:

• Peritonitis: Infection spreading throughout the abdominal cavity
• Abscess formation: Collection of pus in the abdomen
• Sepsis: A life-threatening systemic infection

These complications can significantly prolong recovery time and may require more extensive treatment, including prolonged antibiotic therapy and possibly additional surgical procedures.

Preventing Appendicitis: Is it Possible?

Can appendicitis be prevented in children? Unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent appendicitis. However, maintaining overall good health through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and proper hygiene may contribute to better digestive health.

While prevention may not be possible, early recognition of symptoms and prompt medical attention are key to ensuring the best possible outcome for children with appendicitis. Parents and caregivers should be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek medical care if appendicitis is suspected.

Long-Term Outlook for Children with Appendicitis

What is the prognosis for children who have had appendicitis? The good news is that most children who receive timely treatment for appendicitis recover fully without any long-term effects. After successful treatment and recovery, children can typically return to their normal activities and enjoy a healthy life.

Follow-Up Care

After an appendectomy, your child’s healthcare provider will likely schedule follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and address any concerns. These follow-ups may include:

• Checking the surgical site
• Monitoring for any signs of infection
• Addressing any ongoing pain or discomfort
• Discussing the resumption of normal activities

It’s important to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments and to contact your healthcare provider if you notice any unexpected symptoms or have concerns during the recovery period.

Long-Term Health Considerations

Are there any long-term health implications for children who have had their appendix removed? In general, living without an appendix does not cause any known health problems. The appendix is considered a vestigial organ, meaning it’s not essential for normal bodily functions.

However, some recent research suggests that the appendix may play a role in maintaining gut health and the immune system. While these findings are interesting, they don’t change the necessity of removing an infected appendix to prevent life-threatening complications.

Education and Awareness: Key to Managing Appendicitis in Children

Understanding appendicitis and its implications is crucial for parents, caregivers, and children themselves. By being informed about the symptoms, diagnosis process, and treatment options, families can ensure prompt medical attention when needed.

Educating Children About Their Health

How can you help your child understand appendicitis and its treatment? Consider these approaches:

• Use age-appropriate language to explain the condition
• Encourage questions and address any fears or concerns
• Emphasize the importance of communicating pain or discomfort
• Teach basic anatomy to help children understand their bodies

By fostering open communication about health issues, you can empower your child to be proactive about their well-being and to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

Staying Informed About Pediatric Health

Appendicitis is just one of many health concerns that can affect children. Staying informed about common childhood illnesses, preventive care, and general health practices can help you make informed decisions about your child’s health.

Regular check-ups with a pediatrician, staying up-to-date on vaccinations, and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers are all important aspects of managing your child’s overall health and well-being.

Remember, while appendicitis can be a frightening experience for both children and parents, with prompt recognition and proper medical care, most children recover quickly and completely. By staying informed and attentive to your child’s health, you can ensure the best possible outcomes in the face of appendicitis or any other health challenge that may arise.

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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Caring for Your Child After an Appendectomy (for Parents)

en español: Cuidar de su hijo después de una apendicectomía

Medically reviewed by: Loren Berman, MD

Pediatric General Surgery at Nemours Children’s Health

After an appendectomy (surgery to remove the appendix), your child will need to rest. It takes a few weeks to feel back to normal again.

What Should I Expect?

Most kids recover well at home after an appendectomy. In the first few days after surgery, here are some things you might notice — and what you can do:

• Pain. Your child probably will have belly pain. Kids who had laparoscopic surgery also might have shoulder pain. Ease your child’s pain by using the medicine that the surgeon recommended. If the pain gets worse or does not get better after using the pain medicine, call your surgeon.
• Lack of appetite. Your child might not feel like eating after surgery. Start with clear liquids like chicken broth and water. When your child feels a bit hungrier, offer bland foods like crackers. Don’t force your child to eat. If your child isn’t drinking anything or hasn’t started eating by 2 days after the surgery, call your surgeon.
• Lack of energy. It’s normal for kids to feel tired for a few days after surgery. Let your child rest as needed. Call your surgeon if your child doesn’t start to have more energy by about a week after surgery.
• Sore throat. The breathing tube used during anesthesia can leave kids with a sore throat. The pain should go away in a day or two. Offer your child ice chips and cool drinks to soothe the pain.
• Constipation. It can take a few days to have a bowel movement (poop). As kids start to drink and eat again, they should go back to having normal bowel movements. Call your surgeon if your child has not pooped by 2 days after the surgery. Sometimes the surgeon will recommend a mild laxative (medicine that makes a person poop).
• Fever. Some children may have a low fever of around 99°F (37°C) in the first day or two after surgery. It should go away within 2 days. Call the surgeon if your child has a temperature of 101.5°F (38.6°C) or higher. This could be a sign of an infection.

How Can I Help My Child?

To help your child feel better faster, follow your surgeon’s instructions for:

• when and what your child can eat
• which medicine to give for pain
• other medicines to give, if any
• bathing
• which activities are OK
• when to come back for a follow-up visit

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call your surgeon if your child:

• has a fever of 101. 5°F (38.6°C) or higher
• has redness, swelling, or pus draining from any of the incisions (cuts)
• has pain that gets worse or doesn’t get better after taking pain medicine
• is vomiting (throwing up)
• will not drink
• doesn’t start eating by 1–2 days after surgery
• hasn’t had a bowel movement (pooped) by 2 days after the surgery
• has diarrhea

If your child has any of these problems, your surgeon may want to see your child or ask you to go to your pediatrician, visit urgent care, or have a telemedicine visit.

It’s rare for kids to have serious problems after an appendectomy. But if the doctor thinks your child needs attention right away, they will tell you to take your child to the emergency room (ER).

Medically reviewed by: Loren Berman, MD

Date reviewed: January 2023

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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.

Five tips on how to recognize appendicitis in time

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Tatyana Volodina

It is estimated that in our country acute appendicitis overtakes about a million people every year.

Mortality due to it seems to be low: only 0.2-0.3%, but such insignificant figures hide about 3,000 human lives that doctors cannot save. And in the summer, when many people are in their country houses and far from doctors, it is especially important to be able to distinguish appendicitis from ordinary abdominal pain in order to see a doctor in time.

Blind but dangerous

The appendix is ​​a short and thin blind appendix 7-10 cm long, located at the end of the caecum (the initial part of the large intestine). Like any part of the intestine, the appendix produces intestinal juice, but so little that it does not play a special role in digestion. Therefore, for a long time it was considered a “error of nature” and was removed by the sick at the first opportunity. But recently, scientists have found lymphoid cells in the blind process, the same as in the human tonsils. And since these cells have the ability to protect the body from infections, the assumption was born that the appendix is ​​part of the immune system.

However, the number of protective cells in it, as it turned out, is very small and cannot have a strong effect on immunity. So most experts are still sure that there is no benefit from the appendix, but the harm in case of its inflammation can be significant: acute appendicitis not diagnosed in time can cost not only health, but also life.

Are the teeth to blame?

Experts do not agree on the exact causes of appendicitis. However, risk groups are identified.

For example, people suffering from diseases such as chronic tonsillitis, pneumonia, prolonged colds, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, caries. As a result of these diseases, infections penetrate the bloodstream into the appendix and provoke an inflammatory process there. So healthy teeth – a guarantee of health for the appendix.

There is also a stress theory. It is based on the fact that as a result of excitement in a person there is a sharp narrowing of the blood vessels and this leads to a sudden bleeding of the appendix and the development of its inflammation.

But most often the occurrence of appendicitis is explained by blockage of the junction of the large intestine and the appendix, which often happens with constipation and chronic colitis.

How to identify him?

In most people, the appendix is ​​located about halfway between the navel and the right ilium. In this place, with appendicitis, the maximum pain is felt. But if the appendix is ​​raised to the right hypochondrium, closer to the liver, pain will appear in this area. And if the appendix is ​​lowered into the lower part of the pelvis, then in women, appendicitis is easily confused with inflammation of the appendages, in men – the bladder.

When the process is located behind the caecum, when it is wrapped to the kidney and ureter, there is pain in the lower back, it radiates to the groin, to the leg, to the pelvic area. If the process is directed inside the abdomen, then pains appear closer to the navel, in the middle section of the abdomen and even under the spoon.

Pain occurs suddenly, without any obvious cause . At first they are not too strong – they can still be tolerated. And sometimes, from the first minutes of an attack of acute appendicitis, they become unbearable and proceed like colic.

Pain will torment a person as long as the nerve endings of the process are alive. When its necrosis occurs, the nerve cells will die and the pain will subside. But this is no reason for reassurance. Appendicitis will not “resolve” . On the contrary, the retreat of pain is a reason for immediate hospitalization. Acute appendicitis is accompanied by other symptoms. At the beginning of the disease, there is a general malaise, weakness, appetite worsens. Nausea may soon occur, and sometimes vomiting, but only once. Typical temperature in the range of 37.2-37.7 degrees, sometimes accompanied by chills. A white or yellowish coating appears on the tongue.

Appendicitis can be recognized with simple tricks. But, keep in mind, self-diagnosis must be carried out very carefully.

1 . Lightly tap with the pad of a bent index finger in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe right iliac bone – with appendicitis, it always hurts there.

2 . For comparison, also tap on the left iliac region, which in case of inflammation of the appendix will not cause pain. Attention: you cannot palpate (palpation of the abdomen with your hands) yourself, there is a danger of tearing the appendix, which usually leads to peritonitis.

3. Try to cough loudly: increased pain in the right iliac region will tell you that you have appendicitis.

4 . Press lightly with the palm of your hand in the area of ​​the abdomen where it hurts the most. Hold your hand here for 5-10 seconds. This will ease the pain a bit. Now take your hand away. If pain appears at this point, this is a sign of acute appendicitis.

5 . Take the fetal position, that is, lie on your right side and pull your legs towards your torso. Appendicitis relieves abdominal pain. If you turn on your left side and straighten your legs, it will intensify. This is also a sign of acute appendicitis.

But the self-diagnosis should be limited to this. Do not hesitate to see a doctor, because appendicitis itself, and all the diseases that it can disguise as (renal colic, exacerbation of pancreatitis or cholecystitis, peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, acute inflammation of the bladder, kidneys, female organs), require hospitalization!

How to treat

If acute appendicitis is diagnosed, the primary treatment is one – emergency surgery. Currently, there is a sparing laparoscopic method in which the appendix can be removed without a large incision. Unfortunately, in our country, this type of operation is not yet widespread due to the poor technical equipment of hospitals.

The main task of the postoperative period is to avoid complications, such as suppuration of the postoperative wound. In their occurrence most often there is no fault of the surgeon. And to be this complication or not to be, depends on the state of the appendix at the time of the operation – the greater the degree of inflammation, the higher the risk of suppuration.

If the operation was successful, young patients will have their sutures removed on the 6-7th day and discharged from the hospital. But for the elderly, as well as for chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiac ischemia, etc.), the stitches are removed 2-3 days later. After that, it is desirable to fasten the wound with adhesive tape.

Do not take a bath or go to the sauna for about a month: water and temperature loads on the fragile scar tissue make the seam rougher, wider and uglier. At least three months, and the elderly should not lift weights for six months. Avoid sports activities that cause tension in the abdominal muscles. Try not to catch a cold: it is dangerous for you to cough.

Severe case

If you try to “endure” appendicitis, you may experience peritonitis – inflammation of the abdominal cavity.