What department should I go to for appendicitis?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 21, 2024
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Appendicitis is a very common disease in general surgery, so you can visit the general surgery department at the hospital. The main symptoms of appendicitis are abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever, with the pain being quite severe in acute cases. If the appendix becomes suppurative, it can lead to the formation of a peri-appendicular abscess or appendix perforation, which then causes peritoneal irritation. Active surgical treatment should be pursued, options include traditional removal surgery or laparoscopic appendix removal. Postoperative care should be tailored to the condition of the patient, and rest is essential.

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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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Diagnosis methods for chronic appendicitis

The diagnostic methods for chronic appendicitis mainly include medical history, clinical symptoms, physical examination, laboratory tests, and auxiliary examinations. Firstly, cases of chronic appendicitis generally have a history of acute appendicitis episodes. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by pain, discomfort, and dull pain in the lower right abdomen, often without a history of migratory lower right abdominal pain. In physical examinations, tenderness can be found in the lower right abdomen, and when chronic appendicitis flares up acutely, signs of peritonitis can manifest as rebound pain in the lower right abdomen. In laboratory tests, an increased white blood cell count can be observed. Auxiliary examinations may reveal thickening of the appendix wall and obstruction in the appendix lumen due to fecaliths. Therefore, chronic appendicitis can be diagnosed through methods such as medical history, clinical symptoms, physical examination, laboratory tests, and auxiliary examinations.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Which location does appendicitis hurt?

The typical symptom of appendicitis is pain in the lower right abdomen. Generally, during acute appendicitis, the pain can last for several hours or even longer, with about 70% to 80% of patients experiencing characteristic migratory pain in the lower right abdomen. Migratory pain in the lower right abdomen refers to initial pain in the upper abdomen that later manifests as persistent pain in the lower right abdomen. However, some patients initially present with pain in the lower right abdomen directly. In some cases of pregnant women with acute appendicitis, due to the appendix being pushed upward by the enlarged uterus, pain can also occur in the upper right abdomen. Additionally, acute appendicitis is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

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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 Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does appendicitis surgery require an incision?

Appendicitis surgery can be performed through traditional open surgery or minimally invasive treatment. Open surgery involves a traditional incision at McBurney's point to remove the appendix, which is now rarely used, predominantly replaced by minimally invasive treatment under laparoscopy. The procedure is the same for both methods, involving ligation of the appendicular artery followed by cutting the appendix at its base and suturing the stump. The advantages of minimally invasive surgery include less intraoperative bleeding, faster postoperative recovery, and less physical trauma. Patients can choose between open surgery or minimally invasive treatment based on their personal circumstances and financial conditions.