Appendicitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Anatomical landmarks, front view

Digestive system

Appendectomy - series

Appendicitis

Treatment:

For uncomplicated cases,a surgicalprocedure called anappendectomy is performed to remove the appendix soon after the diagnosis. An appendectomycan bedone as an "open" procedure, where fairly largesurgical cuts are madein your abdomen.The surgerycan also be done as a laparoscopic procedure, which uses a camera and small incisions.

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Ifthe operation reveals that the appendix is normal, the surgeon will remove the appendix and explore the rest of the abdomen for other causes of your pain.

If a CT scan reveals an abscess from a ruptured appendix, the patient may be treated and the appendix removed later, after the infection and inflammation have gone away.

Expectations (prognosis):

If your appendixis treated before it ruptures, you willprobably recover rapidly from surgery.If yourappendix ruptures before surgery, you will probablyrecover more slowly, and are more likely to develop an abscess.

Complications:

Peritonitis
Abscess
Fistulas
Wound infection

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop abdominal pain in the lower right portion of your belly, or any other symptoms of appendicitis.

References:

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Issues Public Health Advisory on use of NeutroSpec, [Technetium (99m TC) Fanolesomab], Imaging Agent for Diagnosis of Appendicitis. Rockville, MD: National Press Office; December 19, 2005. Press Release P05-104.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).