where is the appendix

Where is the appendix?

Where is the appendix?

The appendix is about 3 to the 4-inch piece attached to the large intestine (caecum) in the lower right side of the abdomen. It seems to serve no function in humans, according to medical experts, if this appendix is fine, it contains substances that to keep our body healthy. But if it inflamed, becomes very painful and dangerous.  

location of appendix 

Appendicitis 

 Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency, affecting approximately 10% of the population. It occurs most commonly between the ages of 10 and 30 years, but no age is immune. 

It is initiated by obstruction of the appendix by a fecalith, inflammation, foreign body, or neoplasm. Obstruction leads to increased intraluminal pressure, venous congestion, infection, and thrombosis of intramural vessels. Appendicitis can go into complications like gangrene and perforation after 36 hours, if not diagnosed and treated on time.

Symptoms of appendicitis 

Appendicitis usually begins with vague, often colicky periumbilical or epigastric pain. Within 12 hours the pain shifts to the right lower quadrant manifested as a steady ache that is worsened by walking or coughing. Almost all patients have nausea with one or two episodes of vomiting. 

Protracted vomiting or vomiting that begins before the onset of pain suggests another diagnosis. A sense of constipation is typical, and some patients administer cathartics in an effort to relieve their symptoms-though some report diarrhoea. 

Some common symptoms are,

- Low-grade fever 

- Abdominal tenderness and pain 

- Anorexia, nausea and vomiting, obstipation.

- Tenderness or localized rigidity at McBurney point.

- Low-grade fever 

- loss of appetite 

Lab  findings

Complete blood count (CBC)

Through CBC we can confirm appendicitis, there is an increase in white blood cells (WBC) in appendicitis. It shows signs of infection like a high leukocyte count.

Imaging :

Both abdominal ultrasound and CT scanning are useful in diagnosing appendicitis.CT scanning appears to be more accurate. Abdominal CT scanning is also useful in cases of suspected appendiceal perforation to diagnose a periappendiceal abscess.

 

Treatment 

Nowadays, there are two types of surgeries, one is open surgery in which an incision about 5 to 7 involves in the right lower abdomen to remove inflamed appendix .and the 2nd method is laparoscopic surgery in which three small holes are made in which the camera is also inserted inside the patient's abdomen, with this type of surgery the patient can recover very quickly and resume his daily activities.

       

The treatment of early, uncomplicated appendicitis is surgical appendectomy in most patients. When possible, a laparoscopic approach is preferred to open laparotomy. Prior to surgery, patients should be given broad-spectrum antibiotics with gram-negative and anaerobic coverage to reduce the incidence of postoperative infections. 

Recommended preoperative intravenous regimens include cefotetan  1-2 g every &8 hours; ampicillin-sulbactam every 6 hours; or ertapenem 1g as a single dose. Up to 80% of patients treated with antibiotics alone have a resolution of symptoms and signs of uncomplicated appendicitis.

 Although Conservative management may be considered appendectomy generally is recommended to prevent recurrent appendicitis (20% within 1 yr). If anyone wants to avoid this disease and its suffering, then food should be eaten sitting comfortably, eat more fibre foods, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, don't exercise immediately after eating.