Appendicitis treatment
If a patient suffered from pain is admitted to hospital no doctor will operate on him immediately. This is due to the fact that many other disorders such as inflammatory processes in kidneys or inflammation of the genital organs in women may mimic appendicitis symptoms. Therefore, physicians will first observe the development of the disease for some time, gather tests and then make conclusion on possible surgical intervention. If the acute appendicitis is diagnosed, the treatment will be operative. Appendectomy may be performed in two ways: traditional and endoscopic.
Traditional surgery implies an incision 8-10 cm in length made over inflamed appendix. A surgeon cuts the muscles, examines the appendage and if the surrounding tissue is not inflamed, the appendix is removed and the hole in the bowel at the site of appendix attachment is closed with stitches.
A thin tube with a camera is inserted into the abdomen while endoscopic surgery. The doctor sees the image on the monitor. Tools are inserted through special incisions and the appendix is removed under continuous visual control. Endoscopic incisions are very small, so post-operative period is much easier and faster. Modern surgery is so good that patients with uncomplicated appendicitis leave the hospital next day after surgery. If appendix has finally ruptured and peritonitis has begun, the patient should stay at the hospital for about a week. During this period the patient receives intravenous antibiotics, which help the body to fight infection development. As soon as the patient is admitted to hospital with suspected appendicitis, the doctor immediately orders antibiotics (cefazolin, cefantral, erythromycin and others) as it is necessary for infection prevention in post-operative period. No special diet is required after the removal of the appendix.
