If your pain eases for a while but then gets worse, your appendix may have burst, which can lead to life-threatening complications. Read more about diagnosing appendicitis and complications of appendicitis. If you have appendicitis, it's likely your appendix will need to be removed as soon as possible. Removal of the appendix, known as an appendicectomy or appendectomy, is 1 of the most common operations in the UK and its success rate is excellent.
It's most commonly carried out as keyhole surgery laparoscopy. Several small cuts are made in the abdomen, allowing special surgical instruments to be inserted. Open surgery, where a larger, single cut is made in the abdomen, is usually used if the appendix has burst or access is more difficult.
It usually takes a couple of weeks to make a full recovery after your appendix has been removed. But strenuous activities may need to be avoided for up to 6 weeks after having open surgery. But this generally doesn't last long, because a perforated appendix can quickly lead to other health issues.
Pus-filled abscesses may develop around your appendix. Scar tissue and other abdominal structures will "wall off" the abscessed appendix and the seepage, preventing the infection from spreading.
If you have an abscessed appendix, you may experience symptoms similar to appendicitis, including: 5. You may also experience other symptoms not typically associated with appendicitis, such as weakness, chills, high fever, and a feeling of rectal fullness.
Additionally, the infected contents that have seeped out of your appendix may cause peritonitis, which is an infection of the peritoneum, the silk-like membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.
The inflammation and pain will spread throughout your abdomen, and become worse with any kind of movement. Other symptoms of peritonitis can include:. In most cases of peritonitis, a surgeon will remove your appendix immediately and clean the inside of your abdomen to prevent infection. Doctors sometimes try to treat the abscess or peritonitis with antibiotics and drainage before conducting an appendectomy. Treatments usually involve draining any pus from the abdomen and fighting the infection with strong antibiotics for several weeks.
A research review published in June by the Cochrane Database compared early versus delayed appendectomy in cases of complicated appendicitis. They concluded that more and better-quality data — concerning length of hospital stay and health-related quality of life outcomes — is needed to determine what benefits or harms there might be in early versus delayed appendectomy. A ruptured appendix can actually lead to death in some cases. 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. 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. 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? Appendicitis The appendix is a narrow, finger-shaped pouch that projects out from the colon.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Appendicitis. Accessed May 4, Appendectomy: Surgical removal of the appendix. American College of Surgeons. Martin RF. Acute appendicitis in adults: Clinical manifestations and differential diagnosis.
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