Learn About Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition in which your appendix gets inflamed. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the end of the large intestine.
Appendicitis is a very common reason for emergency surgery. The problem most often occurs when the appendix becomes blocked by feces, a foreign object, a tumor or a parasite in rare cases.
The symptoms of appendicitis can vary. It can be hard to detect appendicitis in young children, older people, and women of childbearing age.
The first symptom is often pain around the belly button or mid upper abdomen. Pain may be minor at first, but becomes more sharp and severe. You may also have a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and a low-grade fever.
The pain tends to move into the right lower part of your belly. The pain tends to focus at a spot directly above the appendix called McBurney point. This most often occurs 12 to 24 hours after the illness starts.
Your pain may be worse when you walk, cough, or make sudden movements. Later symptoms may include:
- Chills and shaking
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Hard stools
- Nausea and vomiting
Most of the time, a surgeon will remove your appendix as soon as you are diagnosed.
If a CT scan shows that you have an abscess, you may be treated with antibiotics first. You will have your appendix removed after the infection and swelling have gone away.
The tests used to diagnose appendicitis are not perfect. As a result, the operation may show that your appendix is normal. In that case, the surgeon will remove your appendix and explore the rest of your abdomen to check for other causes of your pain.
Boston University General Surgical Associates, Inc.
Frederick Drake is a General Surgeon in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Drake has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Appendicitis. His top areas of expertise are Appendicitis, Hyperparathyroidism, Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma, Appendectomy, and Parathyroidectomy. Dr. Drake is currently accepting new patients.
The Association Of University Physicians
David Flum is a General Surgeon in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Flum is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Appendicitis. His top areas of expertise are Appendicitis, Diverticular Disease, Obesity, Appendectomy, and Gastric Bypass. Dr. Flum is currently accepting new patients.
Shawn St. Peter is a Pediatric Surgeon and a General Surgeon in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. St. Peter is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Appendicitis. His top areas of expertise are Appendicitis, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Infantile Pneumothorax, Appendectomy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. St. Peter is currently accepting new patients.
Most people recover quickly after surgery if the appendix is removed before it ruptures.
If your appendix ruptures before surgery, recovery may take longer. You are also more likely to develop problems, such as:
- An abscess
- Blockage of the intestine
- Infection inside the abdomen (peritonitis)
- Infection of the wound after surgery
Contact your provider if you have pain in the lower-right portion of your belly, or other symptoms of appendicitis.
Summary: The investigators aim to determine if early operative intervention is superior to non-operative management for adult patients with computerized tomography (CT)-proven complicated appendicitis with phlegmon or abscess.
Summary: Appendicitis is a common pathology and the one of the most common surgical procedures performed in France. Young subjects are the most frequent patients with appendicitis. Appendicular peritonitis increases post-operative pain, morbidity, and the average length of hospital stay compared to uncomplicated appendicitis. Pain alters perioeprative rehabilitation of patients. Surgery, performed urgently...
Published Date: April 21, 2025
Published By: Todd Eisner, MD, Private practice specializing in Gastroenterology in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida at Gastroenterology Consultants of Boca Raton. Affiliate Assistant Professor, Florida Atlantic University School of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Expert Panel on Gastrointestinal Imaging:, Garcia EM, Camacho MA, et al. ACR appropriateness criteria right lower quadrant pain-suspected appendicitis. J Am Coll Radiol. 2018;15(11S):S373-S387. PMID: 30392606 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30392606/.
Richmond B. The appendix. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 51.
Rosenthal MD, Sarosi GS. Appendicitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 120.
Sifri CD, Madoff LC. Appendicitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 78.