The appendix is a small tube of bowel, about the length of your finger, attached to the large bowel. Nothing much depends on it. But if its opening gets blocked, it fills with mucus, swells up and gets infected — that is appendicitis. It is one of the most common reasons for emergency abdominal surgery, and it is usually straightforward when treated early.
Suspect appendicitis? Go to hospital today
Appendicitis can perforate within a day or two, and a burst appendix causes peritonitis — a serious infection of the abdomen. Do not wait it out, and do not eat or drink anything, because you may need an operation and an empty stomach helps. Call 87478 74666 or go to the nearest emergency department.
The usual signs
Not everyone gets all of these.
Where it is, and where the pain goes
The pain of early appendicitis is felt around the middle, because the appendix itself is thinly supplied. Once the lining becomes inflamed and irritates the surrounding lining of the bowel, the pain settles in the lower right — which is why that is where people usually feel it.
How it is treated
Appendicitis is treated by removing the appendix. There is no medicine that reliably settles it.
Blood tests, an examination, and usually an ultrasound or a CT scan. Not every pain in the lower right is the appendix — urine infections, ovarian problems and bowel conditions can look similar, and the scan helps tell them apart.
Laparoscopic appendicectomy is now the usual approach. The surgeon makes three small cuts and uses a camera and instruments, rather than one long incision.
It generally means less pain afterwards, a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to normal than open surgery.
Sometimes a single incision is the better choice — for example if there is already widespread infection, or after previous abdominal operations. It is not a failure; it is the safer choice for that person on that day. Your surgeon will explain why.
Recovery
Most people go home the same evening or the next morning. You will be walking within hours of the operation, and the small keyhole cuts need only a light dressing. Expect some shoulder-tip discomfort for a day or two — that is trapped wind from the operation, and it settles.
Most people return to work and normal activity within two to six weeks, depending on how demanding their work is and whether the appendix had burst. If it had burst, recovery is longer and you may need antibiotics as well.
Removing the appendix does not cause any long-term digestive problem. It does not affect bowel movement or the absorption of food.
Go to hospital now if…
Call 87478 74666 or go to the nearest emergency department. On the way in, do not eat or drink.
Common questions
Think it might be your appendix?
Appendicitis is one of the conditions where early treatment makes the biggest difference. If the pain is there now, do not wait for it to settle.
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