What is appendicitis?
We call the inflammation of the "blind intestine" (appendix) located at the junction of the small intestine and the large intestine.
Appendicitis. What is the mission?
It is a part of the body defense system in the early stages of life and serves as the training ground for body defense cells. This function decreases with age.
Who gets appendicitis?
In childhood and adolescence (ages 10-20) when the appendix is active in connection with its function. Appendicitis is common. It is rare in babies and the elderly.
Is there a decrease in the body's defense power after appendicitis is removed?
No. The appendix is part of the defense system. Once it is removed, other organs take over its function; There is no deficiency.
Why does appendicitis become inflamed, what is the cause of appendicitis?
Inflammation basically occurs when the inner hole of the appendix is blocked. There are two forms of this blockage. Someone; Blockage of the mouth of the hole opening to the large intestine due to fecal stones, fruit seeds, intestinal worms, etc.; The other is that the small lymph nodes on the wall of the appendix (like the tonsils in our throat) grow due to microbial reasons and block the hole.
After this blockage, the connection of the caecum with the other intestine is cut off, and as a result of the proliferation of microbes inside, the pressure increases in a narrow area (inside the appendix hole). It is possible. This increase blocks the blood circulation of the appendix. The wall of the appendix is destroyed by increased pressure and multiplying microbes. If the inflammation progresses, this damaged wall is pierced and the appendix bursts.
What kind of complaints does appendicitis cause?
After the appendix hole is blocked, bacteria multiply inside and the inflammatory process occurs. starts. The first complaints this causes in the patient are general and vague abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Over time, the pain gets worse and is located in the lower right part of the abdomen. In addition to pain, nausea, vomiting and fever occur. Sometimes, only one of these symptoms can be seen, sometimes all of them together.
What should be done when these complaints occur?
When abdominal pain begins, people usually say that their intestines are cold and that they eat something. They may think that they have touched food or that there is gas accumulation and may take painkillers. If the pain is severe enough to interfere with the person's daily activities, if it continues despite painkillers, if it lasts for more than a day, and if complaints such as vomiting and fever are added, it is necessary to apply to a healthcare institution.
What is done for diagnosis in the hospital?
Some tests are performed on the patient who applies to the hospital with these complaints. If the diagnosis of appendicitis is confirmed as a result of examination and tests, the patient should be operated on without delay.
Is every abdominal pain a sign of appendicitis?
Of course not. There are many causes of abdominal pain. An examination is already carried out to reveal these reasons. But despite these tests, there may be other diseases that resemble appendicitis, even if at a low rate.
What if the diagnosis is wrong and there is another disease?
Appendicitis is an opinion diagnosis. There is a margin of error. We call those with the complaints and symptoms listed above appendicitis and perform surgery. The true diagnosis of appendicitis becomes clear during surgery. Some diseases can be confused with appendicitis. With the use of ultrasound and tomography, this margin of error has decreased. But routinely using tomography to diagnose appendicitis is not appropriate due to cost and availability. Ultrasound may not always detect appendicitis.
Even if there is another disease that can be confused with appendicitis, if the physician concludes that it is appendicitis, he must operate on the patient. Because if the patient really has appendicitis, the appendix is protected from bursting. Even if it is not really appendicitis, surgery has its benefits: the diagnosis becomes clear, there is no doubt in the minds of the doctor and the patient, if there are other diseases that require surgery, especially those related to the ovaries and intestines, surgery is performed, the treatment is shorter than medical treatment, and time loss is reduced. Performing a safe surgery against the risk of appendicitis bursting is always a preferable option.
Isn't there treatment without surgery?
If the doctor diagnoses appendicitis, surgery is performed as soon as possible. must be. The only treatment for appendicitis is still surgery.
Should the surgery be open or closed?
The procedure performed in both surgeries is the same. In open surgery, an average of 5 cm is seen on the abdominal wall. There will be an incision of 100 cm, there will be a little more pain after the surgery, and you will be able to return to work a little later. In closed surgery, the same procedure is performed through three 5-10 mm holes. Therefore, it has the advantage and comfort of less pain, early return to work and no scars. Additionally, other intra-abdominal organs can be observed and necessary intervention can be performed.
If there is no surgery, will the appendicitis burst?
If surgery is not performed after the diagnosis of appendicitis, the inflammation is expected to progress and the appendix will burst. However, the organs in the abdomen sometimes surround the appendix and prevent the inflammation from spreading around. In this case, after pain, vomiting and fever last for a few days, the disease may resolve or its damage may remain limited. Nowadays, an option such as waiting and hoping for the disease to improve is not allowed.
What happens if appendicitis ruptures?
A ruptured appendix can lead to death if it is not operated on, even if it is operated on. It is an emergency situation that causes a lot of damage to the body. The inflammation in the ruptured appendicitis spreads to the abdominal cavity, and the abdominal cavity becomes directly contaminated with pus and feces. This condition is a very severe inflammation.
Why is ruptured appendicitis dangerous?
It can cause death. Even if surgery is performed, it may cause troublesome situations such as intra-abdominal abscess, intra-abdominal bowel adhesions, and wound inflammation.
Can there be problems during and after the surgery?
Appendicitis surgery Today, it is in the class of very safe surgeries. If there is no other disease that will increase the risk of surgery, surgery can be performed safely. Post-operative inflammation in the abdomen and wound area are the most common problems. These inflammations also decreased with the use of antibiotics.
How many days should one stay away from work, how many days should one rest?
After open surgery, 7-10 days, closed surgery. After the surgery, you can return to work and normal life after 3-5 days of rest.
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