What is Appendicitis?

Although the function of the appendix in the body has not been determined, it has been observed that there is no negativity when taken from the body. However, the inflammation of this organ causes appendicitis disease that can result in death if left untreated.

This common problem is inflammation of the appendix, which looks like a finger-shaped sac protruding from the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen. Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency in the world, with a risk rate of 6-8% in men and 6-9% in women.

The method used to treat appendicitis for almost a hundred years was open appendectomy. However, laparoscopic appendectomy, which leaves less scars on the body and has a shorter healing process, is used today rather than this method.

Appendicitis usually manifests suddenly and necessarily requires urgent intervention. Appendicitis caused by inflammation of the appendix is very painful and the patient may experience high fever. It causes unbearable pain in the abdomen. It puts the life of the patient in danger in cases where emergency intervention cannot be performed.

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the blind intestine called appendix and it is a disease that can be seen in people of all ages. However, studies have proven that it is mostly seen in individuals between the ages of 10 and 30.

The disease is commonly referred to as acute appendicitis in medical language. Although appendicitis manifests itself in more than one way, the most important symptom is pain in that area. Standard treatment is surgical removal of the inflamed appendix. Inflammation of the appendix is caused by a blockage of this sac. Often the blockage of this organ is caused by a calcified stone passing from the stool to the pouch. Of course, there are cases where viral infections, parasites, gallstones or some tumors cause obstruction of the appendix.

Obstruction of the appendix leads to increased pressure in the sac, slowing of blood flow in the organ, and bacterial growth that causes inflammation. All these factors lead to tissue damage and death. If this situation is not intervened urgently, the pouch may burst, bacteria may spread to the abdominal cavity due to the explosion and cause other complications to occur.

Since these complications can lead to bigger problems, they may require more serious surgical interventions. In the worst case scenario, the patient may die due to these complications. For this reason, appendicitis is a disease that should be treated with the earliest intervention.