Appendicitis

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix (appendectomy). Appendix is ​​a small tube-shaped fingers that stick out from the colon near the point where it is connected to the small intestine. Appendix could have an immunological role, but not an essential organ. 

Besides catches (inkarceriranih) hernia, appendicitis is the most common cause of sudden, severe abdominal pain and abdominal surgeries in the United States. Appendicitis is most common between the ages of 10-30 years.

The cause of appendicitis is not fully understood. In most cases, the blockage inside the appendix probably starts the process in which the appendix becomes inflamed and infected. If the inflammation continues without treatment, the appendix can kill you. Torn appendix contained full pours intestinal bacteria in the stomach, causing peritonitis, which can lead to life-threatening infections.

Burst (rupture) may cause appendicitis and abscess formation. In women, the infection can lead to ovary and fallopian tube, and fallopian tube blockage that occurs as a result, can cause infertility. Terminate the appendix may allow bacteria to infect the bloodstream, it is a life-threatening condition called septicemia.

Symptoms

Less than half of people with appendicitis have a combination of characteristic symptoms: nausea, vomiting, wrenching pain in the lower abdomen. The pain may begin suddenly in the upper abdomen or around the navel, then you develop nausea and vomiting. After several hours, nausea passes and pain turns into the right lower abdomen.When the doctor pressed the area, it is sensitive, and when tension is released, the pain sharp increases, the symptom is called referred pain. Often a fever of 37.7 ° -38.3 ° C.

The pain can be, especially in small and larger children, to be general and not limited to the right lower abdomen. In elderly people and pregnant women the pain is usually weaker and the area is less sensitive.

If the appendix torn, pain and fever may become severe. Worsening the infection can lead to shock.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Blood tests showed a moderate increase in the number of white blood cells in response to infection. Usually they are in the early stage of appendicitis most tests, including X-ray, CT and TO, essentially useless.

Doctor diagnosis typically based on the findings of the physical examination. To prevent discord appendicitis, abscess formation, or inflammation of the abdominal membrane, doctor-surgeon immediately to make the surgical procedure.

In almost 15% of operations for appendicitis is a normal appendix. However, delaying surgery until a doctor becomes sure what the cause of abdominal pain can be fatal: infected appendix can tear in less than 24 hours after onset of symptoms. Even when appendicitis is not the cause, appendix is ​​usually removed. Then the surgeon search belly and tries to find the real cause of the pain.

With early surgery, the probability of death from appendicitis is very low. A person can usually leave the hospital for 2-3 days, a normal recovery is fast and complete.

When torn appendix, the prognosis is much more serious. Fifty years ago, dissension was often lethal. Antibiotics are lowered mortality to almost zero, but may be required repeated surgery and a long recovery.