appendicit

Appendicit, commonly known as appendicitis, is an inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the cecum in the large intestine. The condition typically presents with acute abdominal pain that often starts near the navel and migrates to the lower right abdomen, accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, and tenderness.

The cause is usually obstruction of the appendiceal lumen by a fecalith, lymphoid hyperplasia, or, less commonly, parasites or tumors, leading to bacterial overgrowth and inflammation. Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment, white blood cell count, and imaging such as ultrasound or computed tomography, especially in adults; ultrasound is commonly used in children and pregnant patients to reduce radiation exposure.

Management is urgent; definitive treatment is surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy) or, in selected uncomplicated cases, antibiotics alone, though practice varies by guideline and setting. Laparoscopic appendectomy is the most common approach; open surgery is an alternative when needed. Delays in treatment increase the risk of perforation, abscess, and peritonitis.

Prognosis is favorable with timely treatment; most patients recover fully within a week after appendectomy. Complications include perforation, abscess, wound infection, and intra-abdominal sepsis. In rare cases, appendicitis can recur if treated non-surgically and the appendix is not removed. Prevention is not well established; maintaining regular bowel movements and hydration may help, but no proven preventive measure exists.