Appendicitis: One of the most common major
surgical disease, appendicitis is obstruction and inflammation of the vermiform
appendix, which may lead to infection, thrombosis, necrosis, and perforation.
Appendicitis may result from an obstruction of the intestinal lumen
caused by a fecal mass, stricture, barium ingestion, or a viral infection.
Symptoms:
Abdomen pain – generalized or localized in the right upper abdominal,
eventually localizing in the right lower abdomen
Nausea
Anorexia
Vomiting
Boardlike abdominal rigidity
Retractive respirations
Increasingly severe abdominal spasms and rebound spasms
Constipation
Fever
Tachycardia
Indication of perforation or infarction of the appendix–Sudden cessation
of abdominal pain
Treatment:
Only effective treatment: Appendectomy
If peritonitis develops, treatment involves gastrointestinal intubation,
parenteral replacement of fluids and electrolytes, and antibiotics.