Appendicitis

What is it?

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is ​​an organ made up of intestinal tissue, small in size and elongated in the shape of a sac, located at the junction between the small intestine and the large intestine. Its function is unknown. The appendix is ​​located in the lower right part of the abdomen.

How is it produced?

In appendicitis there is a lumen obstruction of the appendix due to an accumulation of food, feces, or other causes such as a tumor, intestinal disease, or a foreign body. The obstruction favors a bacterial growth and therefore an infection. With inflammation, vascularization is affected which can lead to the appendix becomes gangrene and perforates, causing a generalized abdominal infection called peritonitis.

Symptoms

Appendicitis can appear at any age but it is much more common in young people (under 30 years old). The main symptom of appendicitis is the. It is usual that start out as a dull ache around the navel, which as the condition progresses, is located in the area of ​​the appendix (lower right abdomen). The pain usually increases with coughing, exercise, and movement. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever are also common. The vomiting is usually after pain.

If the inflamed appendix is ​​not intervened in time, it can rupture, leading to a severe generalized infection of the abdomen known as peritonitis. Peritonitis requires urgent medical attention.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based primarily on symptoms and abdominal examination. When palpating the abdomen, pain appears especially in the appendix area and characteristically when raise your hand suddenly after pressing Gently the lower right belly area. A blood test showing elevated blood pressure (indicative of infection) and a urinalysis (to rule out urinary infection as the cause of pain) may be helpful.

Regarding the imaging tests, the most used are the abdominal ultrasound and abdominal CT (especially in patients with abdominal pain and unclear symptoms). Diagnostic confirmation will be given by direct vision of the inflamed appendix during surgery.

Treatment

Treatment of appendicitis consists of resecting the appendix by surgery. Is a simple operation called an appendectomy. If treatment is not delayed, the results and prognosis are excellent. antibiotics are administered prior to the intervention. It is usually done by open surgery.

In case of delay in treatment, the inflammation can progress with rupture of the appendix. leading to a localized infection (abscess) or generalized in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis). Peritonitis is a serious disease that requires urgent treatment with surgery, antibiotics, and intravenous fluids.

Prevention

The only possible prevention of the disease is prophylactic removal of the appendix, that is, without appendicitis. This is done taking advantage of other surgical interventions of the abdominal cavity or in people who spend long periods in isolation to avoid the problem (such as sailors or mountaineers).

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