“Appendicitis”, which is a common disease, is inflammation of the blunt intestine, which is usually located in the lower right part of the abdomen and called the appendix. “The appendix vermiformis is a long, thin tube-shaped caecum with an average length of 9 cm. It may vary in length from 2 to 25 cm. It is longer in children than in adults. It is normally located in the lower right region of the abdomen, but can be found in different positions. Its function in the body is unknown, such as appendix, tonsil, etc. is an organ rich in lymphoid tissue.
Appendicitis 90% of the time is caused by obstruction of the appendix entrance or lumen (inner cavity of the appendix) with feces at any level.One of the common causes is swelling of the lymph tissues in the appendix wall.Also, rarely, intestinal parasites With its obstruction, appendicitis may occur in cases such as trauma or bowel lymph cancer.
When the inside of the appendix is blocked for various reasons, the fluid secreted in the appendix accumulates, the internal pressure increases and at the same time microbes begin to multiply.With the increase in pressure, the appendix begins to swell and gradually the blood supply of the appendix wall and nutrition is impaired. This condition is called Acute Appendicitis. Then, necrosis (rot) develops and the appendix is pierced from one place, and the microbe-rich liquid inside is emptied into the abdomen. This stage is called Perforated Appendicitis.
Although appendicitis can be seen at any age, it most commonly occurs in young adults (20-30 years old).
Abdominal pain; It is the most important symptom of appendicitis. It usually starts around the navel or above the stomach. It causes constant and blunt pain, may decrease and increase, but the pain never completely disappears. Usually, after 4-12 hours, the pain settles in the lower right region of the abdomen. In some patients, the pain starts in the lower right region of the abdomen and stays there. Due to the different location of the appendix, pain can be felt in the back, right or left groin, right leg, and the upper part of the urinary bladder while urinating.
Anorexia is a finding that precedes pain in 90-95% of patients but is ignored.
Nausea and vomiting; is an important indicator. Nausea is seen in 75 percent of patients. Vomiting may not be observed in all patients (especially in early acute appendicitis). Generally, the patient vomits in a way that he eats, bile vomit is also seen in perforated appendicitis.
In addition to these symptoms, there may also be complaints such as constipation or diarrhea, changes in toilet habits and inability to pass gas.
Examination findings vary according to the location of the appendix in the body. Generally, an increase in tenderness and pain is detected by pressing on the lower right region of the abdomen. Whether there is a perforation or not also affects the findings, if there is a perforation, the entire abdomen is tender and the patient resists the examination by contracting his abdomen. While body temperature remains normal for some people, it rises above 38 degrees in others. The increase in abdominal pain with movement of the patient is important for the diagnosis.
Treatment is Surgery. Surgical treatment is applied with open or laparoscopic (closed) method.
Today, appendicitis operations are one of the simplest operations. However, although the treatment is so easy, loss of time is life-threatening in cases of appendicitis where abdominal pain is ignored and perforation develops. If not operated on time, it can result in death. There is a 15-25 percent risk of perforation in young adults and 50-85% in children.
Appendicitis is a disease that can be treated easily when a doctor is consulted, but can result in death if it is delayed.
CAUTION
* DO NOT give pain relievers to a child with abdominal pain until the cause of the abdominal pain has been determined!
* If your child has received a different diagnosis (such as urinary tract infection, gas pain) when he applied with abdominal pain, you should go to the doctor again if his complaints do not decrease despite the recommended treatment.
* If a normal appendicitis surgery is diagnosed early, it takes approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour in total and the patient is hospitalized for 1 day and discharged. If the appendix has ruptured, the appendix is surgically removed, the abdomen is cleaned, and a drain (hose) may need to be placed in the abdomen, and the patient stays in the hospital for about 2-3 days.
* Early diagnosis and correct treatment are life-saving.
* Today, there is no examination, laboratory or imaging method to diagnose appendicitis 100%. For this reason, the patient’s complaints, examination findings and blood tests are evaluated together, and the diagnosis is made by evaluating with standing abdominal X-ray and sometimes ultrasonography.
* Suspected cases are hospitalized and followed up with examination and fever measurements without giving painkillers.
