What Is Appendicitis? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods?

The appendix, a lymphoid system organ and an important part of the immune system, supports the growth of B cells (lymphocytes) and antibody production. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed for various reasons. Neglecting appendicitis can lead to serious complications, so it is important to seek medical help quickly when symptoms appear.

What Is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, a lymphoid organ also commonly known as the appendix. Because the appendix supports the maturation of lymphocytes and antibody production, it helps regulate the body's immune response. The appendix is a small, tube-shaped structure located where the small intestine ends and the large intestine begins. Inflammation of the appendix, also known as the blind gut, usually occurs as a result of blockage of the appendix.

What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?

Symptoms of appendicitis may vary from person to person and can sometimes be confused with other diseases because of abdominal pain, its most important symptom. The most common symptoms when appendicitis develops are:

Abdominal pain: Appendicitis typically presents as severe pain that starts around the navel and gradually spreads to the lower right side of the abdomen. The pain is mild at first but gradually intensifies and can become unbearable.

Nausea and vomiting: Among the symptoms that appear in the early stages of appendicitis are nausea and vomiting.

Loss of appetite: A person with appendicitis may experience a decrease in appetite and may not want to eat.

High fever: Since appendicitis is a type of infection, body temperature may rise as the disease progresses.

Abdominal tenderness: In the early stages of appendicitis, tenderness may develop in the lower right area of the abdomen, and pain may be felt when it is touched or pressed.

Diarrhea or constipation: Appendicitis can affect bowel movements and cause diarrhea or constipation in the person.

If appendicitis is suspected, or if appendicitis-like symptoms appear severely, it is important to consult a healthcare professional.

What Are the Causes of Appendicitis?

The exact cause of appendicitis is not fully known, but it generally occurs as a result of blockage of the appendix. The blockage can be caused by the accumulation of mucus, stool or foreign bodies inside the appendix. Some factors that can lead to blockage in the appendix can be listed as follows:

Accumulation of hard matter or stool: Stool or hard substances that accumulate inside the appendix can cause blockages.

Growth of lymphoid tissue: Growth of the lymphoid tissue (immune system cells) located inside the appendix can cause blockage. This usually occurs as a result of infection or an immune system response.

Infection: An infection can occur due to bacteria that reach the inside of the appendix in various ways. The resulting infection can spread within the appendix and cause appendicitis.

Genetic factors: Some studies suggest that appendicitis may have a familial predisposition. People with a family history of appendicitis have a higher risk of developing appendicitis.

How Is Appendicitis Diagnosed?

To diagnose appendicitis, a physician specializing in the relevant field first performs a physical examination and evaluates the symptoms. In some cases, the diagnosis may not be definitive and the physician may recommend other tests or follow-up examinations. Surgery is also among the options for confirming the diagnosis. Especially if the symptoms are severe and the diagnosis is uncertain, the appendix is removed during surgery and the inflammation is confirmed. The methods used in the diagnosis of appendicitis can be listed as follows:

Physical examination: The physician examines the patient's abdomen and looks for signs of appendicitis. Tenderness or sensitivity to pressure in the lower right area of the abdomen increases the likelihood of appendicitis.

Blood tests: Blood tests can be used to check specific biochemical markers that indicate inflammation (for example, white blood cell count). These tests detect the presence of infection and serve as an indicator of the possibility of appendicitis.

Urine tests: A urine test may be performed to check for signs of infection in the urine. This helps determine whether the complaints are due to appendicitis or a urinary tract infection.

Imaging methods: Imaging methods such as ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT) scans are commonly used to diagnose appendicitis. Imaging methods can show swelling, inflammation or blockage of the appendix.

How Is Appendicitis Treated?

Treatment of appendicitis requires an urgent appendectomy operation to remove the inflamed appendix. Appendectomy, known as appendicitis surgery, is performed using laparoscopic (closed) or open surgical methods. Patients who come to the hospital with suspected appendicitis are informed about the treatment process after the physician has diagnosed appendicitis. Patients are prepared for surgery after the necessary pre-operative checks and tests have been performed. The appendectomy operation is performed under general anesthesia, whether laparoscopic or open. When the laparoscopic method is preferred, a smaller incision is made, whereas in the open surgical method a larger incision is made and the appendix is removed. If the appendix has ruptured and the infection has spread to the surrounding tissues, the infection there is also cleaned.

Depending on whether the surgery was open or closed, patients are generally discharged after staying in the hospital for a few days. Recovery is quite rapid, especially after laparoscopic appendectomy operations. Pain relievers and antibiotics may be used during the recovery period to control pain and prevent the risk of infection.

How Is Appendicitis Surgery Performed?

Appendicitis surgery is an operation that can be performed using laparoscopic (closed) or open surgical methods. Both operations have similar aspects as well as differences. The way the operations are performed can be explained as follows:

Laparoscopic (Closed) Appendicitis Surgery

At the start of the operation, general anesthesia is administered in the amount determined by the anesthesiologist.

Three to four incisions are made in different areas of the abdomen, one of them near the umbilicus (navel).

Thin tubes called trocars are inserted through the incisions, with a laparoscope (camera) placed through one and surgical instruments through the others.

While the laparoscope transmits images from inside the abdomen to a screen, the appendix is separated from the intestines with surgical instruments and removed.

If the appendix has ruptured and there are infected areas around it, they are cleaned, and the incisions made are then closed with sutures or adhesive skin closure strips.

After the operation, the operated area must be kept sterile and dressings must be applied as recommended by the physician.

Open Appendicitis Surgery

As in laparoscopic surgery, general anesthesia is first administered in open appendicitis surgery.

For the operation, an incision approximately 5-10 cm long is made in the lower right part of the abdomen.

The appendix is removed through the incision, and surrounding tissues are cleaned if necessary.

After the appendix is removed, the incision is closed with sutures or clips and a dressing is applied.

Frequently Asked Questions About Appendicitis

Since appendicitis can cause serious health problems if it ruptures without treatment, early diagnosis and treatment are very important. This raises questions such as how appendicitis can be recognized. Frequently asked questions about appendicitis can be explained as follows: Appendicitis is first recognized by tenderness and pain in the lower right area of the abdomen. Since abdominal pain is one of the symptoms of many diseases, appendicitis may be confused with other diseases. When this pain intensifies and continues for a long time, it indicates the presence of appendicitis, and it is necessary to consult a health facility without delay. Early intervention is very important in the treatment of appendicitis, because if treatment is delayed, the appendix may swell and rupture, and the infection may spread. The infection can spread to surrounding tissues such as the peritoneum and intestines, and it can also be carried through the bloodstream to other places. For this reason, if appendicitis is not treated, serious health problems affecting the entire body can occur. If the infection increases and the appendix swells and ruptures, the infection first spreads to the surrounding tissues. The infection spreading from the ruptured appendix can accumulate in the surrounding tissues and form an abscess. Infection of the peritoneum, infection of the intestines and blockages may be seen. The infection can spread not only to surrounding tissues but also through the bloodstream to different organs such as the liver, kidneys and lungs. There are two reasons why appendicitis is seen more often in infants and children. The first reason is that their organs are smaller and therefore more prone to obstruction. The second reason is that constipation is seen more often, so the accumulation of stool can cause blockage in the appendix. There are many diseases with complaints similar to appendicitis that are often confused with it. Gastroenteritis, bladder infections, intestinal infections, ovarian cysts and urinary system infections are among the diseases that can be confused with appendicitis. Appendicitis surgery during pregnancy can generally be performed when necessary, taking into account the symptoms and complications of appendicitis. Appendicitis can also occur during pregnancy and, if left untreated, can lead to more serious complications. If symptoms of appendicitis appear in a pregnant woman, doctors generally recommend appendicitis surgery (appendectomy). It is generally possible to have a normal delivery after appendicitis. Appendicitis surgery is not a condition that prevents normal delivery. However, this may vary from person to person and depending on the operation performed. A complication arising during or after the operation may affect normal delivery. For this reason, it is important to consult a physician to make the correct decision about how delivery should be carried out. To get more information about appendicitis, you can contact Hisar Hospital and make an appointment with a general surgeon.