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Acute Appendicitis: Treatments

How is acute appendicitis treated?

Acute appendicitis is a treatable condition. If acute appendicitis is diagnosed and treated promptly before the appendix ruptures, the outcome is generally very good. Treatment for appendicitis includes hospitalization and:

  • Intravenous antibiotics to clear any infections

  • Laparoscopic appendectomy, a minimally invasive surgery to remove the appendix, requiring small incisions

  • Open appendectomy, a major surgical procedure to remove the appendix and clean out the abdominal cavity. This procedure is performed if the appendix ruptures before it is surgically removed.

  • Pain medications

People in good health generally recover from an appendectomy procedure quickly without complications, particularly if the procedure is performed before the appendix ruptures. Hospitalization may be as short as a couple of days.

What are the possible complications of acute appendicitis?

Acute appendicitis that is not treated promptly leads to life-threatening complications. Complications of acute appendicitis include:

  • Abdominal abscess

  • Peritonitis  (infection of the lining that surrounds the abdomen)

  • Ruptured appendix

  • Sepsis

  • Shock

INTRODUCTION

What is acute appendicitis?

Acute appendicitis is a rapidly progressing inflammation of a small part of the large intestine called the appendix. The appendix is a pouch-like structure located in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen near the area where the small intestine joins the large intestine. The exact function of the appendix is not known.... Read more about acute appendicitis introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of acute appendicitis?

Classic symptoms of acute appendicitis include pain in the right lower abdomen, where the appendix is located, that gets progressively sharp and more intense. Pain increases when pressure is put on the area (called the McBurney’s point), and the area becomes even more painful and tender when the pressure is released (rebound tenderness). This is one exam a health care provider uses to diagnosis acute appendicitis.... Read more about acute appendicitis symptoms

CAUSES

What causes acute appendicitis?

Acute appendicitis can occur when a piece of food, stool or object becomes trapped in the appendix, causing irritation, inflammation, and the rapid growth of bacteria and infection. The appendix is a pouch-like structure located in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen near the area where the small intestine joins the large intestine.... Read more about acute appendicitis causes

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Medical Reviewer: Williams, Robert, MD Last Annual Review Date: Jan 10, 2011 Copyright: © Copyright 2011 Health Grades, Inc. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or reprinted without permission from Health Grades, Inc. Use of this information is governed by the HealthGrades User Agreement.

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This Article is Filed Under: Digestive System, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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