Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a finger shaped pouch that projects from colon (large intestine) on the lower right side of abdomen. The appendix does not have any specific purpose in our body. Appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain resulting in surgery. More common in males and age group between 10 to 30 years.
𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬
• Sudden pain on the right side of the lower abdomen.
• Pain that begins around navel and often shifts to lower right abdomen.
• Pain worsens by cough, walk or other jarring movements.
• Loss of appetite.
• Low grade fever.
• Constipation or diarrhea.
• Abdominal bloating
𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬
A blockage in the lumen of appendix that results in infection leading to appendicitis. The bacteria multiply rapidly, causing the appendix to become inflamed, swollen and filled with pus. If not treated, the appendix can become gangrenous and rupture.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
• A ruptured appendix
Infection spreads throughout the abdomen requiring urgent surgery
• A pocket of pus
If localized burst of appendix occurs leading to development of pocket of infection (Appendicular abscess)
𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬
Blood test- High blood cell count
Urine test- To rule out urinary tract infection or kidney stone
Pregnancy test- To rule out ectopic pregnancy in female
Imaging test- Abdominal X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT scan
𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Mainstay of treatment of acute appendicitis is early surgery (within 24 to 48 hours).
Appendectomy is surgical removal of appendix.
𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐲
The surgery is done through few small incisions through which special surgical tools and a video camera are inserted into the abdomen to remove appendix.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐲
Early healing with less pain and scarring.
Faster recovery
𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐲
• Avoid strenuous activity for 3-5 days
• Support your abdomen when you cough
• Children may return to school after a week
• Waiting period of 2-4 weeks to resume strenuous activity such as gym or sports
• There may be a temporary constipation. Staying hydrated and eating fiber rich food helps regulate bowel movement.
𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Kidney bean or other salads
• Swapping white rice for brown rice
• Using whole wheat flour
• Breakfast- cereals, yogurt and salads.
𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐫 𝐀𝐭𝐮𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥