Appendicitis

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does appendicitis surgery leave scars?

Appendectomy surgery leaves scars due to cutting the skin on the body surface, and then the scars heal. Currently, there is a minimally invasive treatment available; it involves using laparoscopic technology to remove the appendix. This requires making three small incisions on the body surface, resulting in smaller scars, and postoperative recovery is relatively quick. Those who have cosmetic concerns may choose this method. Additionally, postoperative care should be enhanced, including regular dressing changes for the incision. Generally, stitches can be removed a week after the surgery. Attention should be paid to dietary adjustments, such as consuming more vegetables to prevent constipation. Once gastrointestinal function has returned, nutritional intake should be increased by eating more meats and eggs to strengthen the body and promote recovery.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does appendicitis cause diarrhea?

Patients with appendicitis may experience diarrhea and abdominal pain, tenderness, and rebound pain due to spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Those with severe systemic infections may also have a fever. Currently, appendicitis is primarily treated surgically, with options including the traditional McBurney's incision or laparoscopic appendectomy. In cases of appendiceal suppuration, postoperative antibiotic treatment against infection should be selected, using anti-anaerobic agents, and attention must be paid to postoperative diet, focusing on soft, easily digestible foods.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What can you eat with acute appendicitis?

During an acute appendicitis attack, you must not eat or drink anything, and it's important to choose surgical treatment actively. Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy is commonly used. This method leads to less bleeding during surgery and quicker recovery afterward. In the postoperative recovery period, you can gradually eat some liquid foods such as rice soup, vegetable soup, and egg custard. Normal diet can be resumed after three days post-surgery, and eating nutritionally rich foods can help speed up recovery and improve physical condition. Regular care is required for the surgical incision, and stitches can generally be removed about a week later.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How many days of hospitalization are required for appendicitis surgery?

After appendectomy surgery, patients generally need to stay in the hospital for observation for three to five days. If there is no suppuration or infection at the wound, patients can choose to be discharged according to their own wishes. However, if the initial symptoms of appendicitis are severe, or if there is suppuration or perforation, it is advisable to stay in the hospital for additional observation until the abdominal pain subsides before considering discharge. Additionally, elderly individuals or children who are physically weaker should also stay in the hospital for longer observation, as this can aid in recovery.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Causes of Chronic Appendicitis

The causes of chronic appendicitis mainly include three aspects. First, the narrowing of the appendiceal lumen. Most cases of chronic appendicitis have a history of acute appendicitis attacks. Long-term recurrent chronic inflammation can lead to thickening of the appendiceal wall, narrowing of the appendiceal lumen, and weakened peristalsis of the appendix. Second, obstruction within the appendiceal lumen by fecaliths is also a common cause of chronic appendicitis. Third, enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity can compress the appendiceal lumen, causing narrowing and repeated bacterial infections in the appendix. These are the common causes of chronic appendicitis.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Acute appendicitis pain level

The pain of acute appendicitis is mainly abdominal pain. Currently, there are no available data for reference to understand the level of pain in appendicitis, and the pain associated with acute appendicitis is related to the individual's constitution and the extent of inflammation in the appendix. If the inflammation is mild, limited only to the serosal layer, then the pain is relatively mild and tolerable. If the inflammation is more extensive or involves pus formation, perforation, and affects the peritoneum, it leads to noticeable peritonitis and causes severe, knife-like pain, making the patient scared to move and covered in profuse sweat; the pain is quite severe. For acute appendicitis, surgery is currently advocated as the treatment method.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Which department should I go to for chronic appendicitis?

Chronic appendicitis results from the treatment of acute appendicitis, forming a chronic inflammation around the appendix. Clinically, it mainly manifests as recurrent pain or dull pain in the right upper abdomen, with either fecalith obstruction in the appendix cavity or adhesion of the appendix cavity. When chronic appendicitis has an acute flare-up, it is recommended to actively pursue surgical treatment. Therefore, when chronic appendicitis occurs, it is advised to consult general surgery, or gastroenterological surgery if the hospital has specialized departments.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Principles of Treatment for Acute Appendicitis

The principle of treatment for acute appendicitis primarily involves surgery. For mild cases or those who cannot tolerate surgery, conservative treatment with medication is also an option. Currently, the choice of surgical method mainly involves laparoscopic appendectomy, which requires general anesthesia. Alternatively, appendectomy can be performed under spinal anesthesia through an incision at McBurney's point. Postoperatively, a pathological examination should be conducted depending on the situation. If there is significant suppuration, anti-inflammatory treatment should be administered post-surgery, with a hospital stay of about three to five days.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Appendicitis complications

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix lumen. If not treated promptly, it can lead to several complications, such as perforation of the appendix. After perforation, pus from the appendix lumen leaks into the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis, which leads to abdominal pain, tenderness, and rebound pain. Furthermore, if acute appendicitis is not thoroughly treated, it can progress to chronic appendicitis and periappendiceal abscess. A swollen mass can often be felt on the surface of the abdomen in affected patients. Therefore, active treatment for appendicitis is essential. The principle treatment is surgical removal of the appendix. For mild cases of appendicitis, medical conservative observation and treatment can also be chosen.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Where does appendicitis hurt?

In general clinical practice, the pain associated with appendicitis mostly occurs in the lower right abdomen. Some patients experience very typical migratory right lower abdominal pain which usually starts in the upper abdomen, gradually moves around the navel, and finally localizes in the lower right abdomen. Direct pain in the lower right abdomen could also be indicative of appendicitis. In rare cases, if there is a reversal of organs or an abnormal position of the appendix, pain may occur in the upper right abdomen or lower abdomen as well. For pregnant women, the appendix may be positioned higher and could cause pain under the rib cage. Therefore, the diagnosis of appendicitis should be based on the specific condition of the patient and related diagnostic tests.