Treatment & Diagnosis
To determine the source of stomach pain, the doctor will check your body and ask for a history of signs and symptoms at the initial visit. The following tests will be performed to ensure an accurate diagnosis:
A physical exam is performed to analyse your pain. The doctor will apply gentle pressure to the affected area. As the pressure is relieved, you may experience a rush of discomfort, indicating that the nearby peritoneum is inflamed.
The doctor may also search for symptoms of abdominal muscular tightness or stiffening in response to pressure applied to the region above the appendix.
A blood test is performed to determine whether the body has an overabundance of white blood cells will suggest the presence of an infection in the appendix.
Urine Test- A urinalysis is performed to rule out a urinary tract infection or a kidney stone as a possible cause of stomach discomfort.
Imaging tests, such as an abdominal X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are used to confirm appendicitis or to rule out alternative causes of abdominal pain.
Procedure
Antibiotics are sometimes used to treat infected appendicitis, however surgery is the most usual therapy. Appendicitis is a medical emergency that must be addressed within 36-72 hours of the rupture of the appendix. As a result, there are two surgical options: open and laparoscopic appendectomies.
An open appendectomy is a surgery in which the surgeon removes the organ through a wide incision in the belly. The appendix is removed, and the wound is stitched up. For patients who have already had abdominal surgery or who have a ruptured appendix, this is the ideal technique.
Laparoscopic Appendix Removal Surgery- A surgeon removes the appendix through one of the abdominal incisions during laparoscopic appendectomy. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide throughout the surgery that the surgeon can see well within. A narrow tube-like equipment with a camera connected at the top that allows the surgeon to see into the abdomen. Additional surgical devices are introduced through the remaining incisions. When the appendix is removed, the tiny wounds are cleansed and closed with sticky glue.
Adults and obese persons benefit most from laparoscopic appendix surgery. Laparoscopic surgery has various benefits over open surgery:
- Scarring and incisions are kept to a minimum.
- Short surgery lasting 30-40 minutes
- Postoperative pain is reduced.
- Fast return to daily activities after a brief hospital stay
- improved aesthetic outcomes
- Less complications