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Home > Health A –  Z > Appendicitis

Appendicitis Inflammation of the appendix. 

PubMed Health Glossary

(Source: NIH - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

SymptomsTestsTreatments 

About the Appendix

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About Appendicitis

An obstruction, or blockage, of the appendiceal lumen causes appendicitis. Mucus  backs up

in the appendiceal lumen, causing  bacteria that normally live inside the appendix to multiply.

As a result, the appendix swells and becomes infected. Sources of blockage include

  stool,  parasites, or growths that clog the appendiceal lumen 

 

enlarged lymph tissue in the wall of the appendix, caused by infection in the GI tract 

or elsewhere in the body

  inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative

colitis, long-lasting disorders that cause irritation and ulcers in the GI tract 

  trauma to the abdomen 

An inflamed appendix will likely burst if not removed...  NIH - National Institute of Diabetes

and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 

What works? Research summarized

Evidence reviews

Antibiotic therapy compared to appendectomy in the treatment of acute appendicitis. 

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical causes of acute abdominal pain.

Appendectomy is the treatment of choice, however surgical complications are inherent to

operative treatment. Recent research on primary antibiotic therapy (without surgery) reported

good results.

Laparoscopic ("key hole") surgery for appendicitis 

In the right lower part of the abdomen there is a small blind ending intestinal tube, called

appendix. Inflammation of the appendix is called appendicitis and is usually acute in onset.

Appendicitis is most frequent in children and young adults. Most cases require emergency

surgery, in order to avoid rupture of the appendix into the abdomen. During the operation,

called appendectomy, the inflamed appendix is surgically removed. The traditional surgical

approach involves a small incision (about 5 cm or 2 inches) in the right lower abdominal

wall. Alternatively, it is possible to perform the operation by laparoscopy. This operation,

called laparoscopic appendectomy, requires 3 very small incisions (each about 1 cm or 1/2inch). The surgeon then introduces a camera and some instruments into the abdomen and

removes the appendix as in the conventional operation.

Meta-analysis of randomised trials on laparoscopic versus open surgery for acute

appendicitis: has firm evidence been reached? 

Bibliographic details: Penninga L, Gluud C, Wetterslev J. Meta-analysis of randomised trials

on laparoscopic versus open surgery for acute appendicitis: has firm evidence been

reached? Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2014; 18(7): 1383-138424682630

See all (109)

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Summaries for consumers

Antibiotic therapy compared to appendectomy in the treatment of acute appendicitis. 

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical causes of acute abdominal pain.

Appendectomy is the treatment of choice, however surgical complications are inherent tooperative treatment. Recent research on primary antibiotic therapy (without surgery) reported

good results.

Laparoscopic ("key hole") surgery for appendicitis 

In the right lower part of the abdomen there is a small blind ending intestinal tube, called

appendix. Inflammation of the appendix is called appendicitis and is usually acute in onset.

Appendicitis is most frequent in children and young adults. Most cases require emergency

surgery, in order to avoid rupture of the appendix into the abdomen. During the operation,

called appendectomy, the inflamed appendix is surgically removed. The traditional surgical

approach involves a small incision (about 5 cm or 2 inches) in the right lower abdominal

wall. Alternatively, it is possible to perform the operation by laparoscopy. This operation,

called laparoscopic appendectomy, requires 3 very small incisions (each about 1 cm or 1/2

inch). The surgeon then introduces a camera and some instruments into the abdomen and

removes the appendix as in the conventional operation.

Drain use after an open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis 

Appendicitis refers to inflammation of the appendix. Appendectomy, the surgical removal of

the appendix, is performed primarily in patients who have acute appendicitis. Patients

undergoing an appendectomy for complicated appendicitis, which is defined as gangrenous(soft‐tissue death) or perforated (burst) appendicitis, are more likely to suffer from

 postoperative complications. The routine placement of a surgical drain to prevent intra‐ peritoneal abscess (a localised collection of pus in the abdomen or pelvis) after an

appendectomy for complicated appendicitis is controversial.

See all (9)

Terms to know

Abdomen 

The area between the chest and the hips containing the stomach, small intestine, large

intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.

Appendectomy 

Surgery to remove the appendix (small finger-shaped pouch at the end of the first part

of the large intestine).

Gastrointestinal Tract (GI Tract) 

The large, muscular tube that extends from the mouth to the anus, where the

movement of muscles, along with the release of hormones and enzymes, allows for

the digestion of food. Also called the alimentary canal or digestive tract.

Lumen 

The cavity or channel within a tube or tubular organ such as a blood vessel or theintestine.

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Lymph 

The clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help

fight infections and other diseases. Also called lymphatic fluid.

Parasites 

An animal or plant that gets nutrients by living on or in an organism of another

species. A complete parasite gets all of its nutrients from the host organism, but asemi-parasite gets only some of its nutrients from the host.

 

     

More about Appendicitis

Other terms to know: See all 6 

Abdomen, Appendectomy, Gastrointestinal Tract (GI Tract) 

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