Acute Appendicitis
Symptoms:
Abdominal Pain - usually starting all over the
abdomen or mid abdomen, getting localized in the Right ileac
fossa.Vomitings - vomiting is a very common symptom and is
associated with nausea, but may be absent altogether in some
patients. Fever - occurs after 12 hours or more, may be absent in
some patients.
Signs:
Tenderness in the Right ileac
fossa (McBurney's point), and
rebound tenderness. Guarding and Rigidity will be present in the right ileac fossa
Diagnosis:
WBC count: There will be some increase in the
total white blood cell count with neutrophil predominance. Other
tests : In the early stages of appendicitis all other tests like
X-ray, Ultrasound etc are not useful.
Treatment:
Surgical removal of
appendix(appendicectomy) is the only treatment. Preliminary
administration of I V fluids and antibiotics is advised.
Laparoscopic appendicectomy is becoming popular.
Complications
and course of the disease:
If an appendicectomy is done early in the course of the disease,
there is very little danger of any complication. But if the
operation is delayed, complications like abscess formation or rupture of the appendix with associated peritonitis occur.