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2. Medical Illustrations of Appendix Image Collection
3. Take the Appendicitis Quiz

Medical Author:

Dennis Lee, MD

Dennis Lee, MD

Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

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Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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In this Article

• What is the appendix?
• What is appendicitis?
• What are the complications of appendicitis?
• What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
• How is appendicitis diagnosed?
• Why can it be difficult to diagnose appendicitis?
• What other conditions mimic appendicitis?
• How is appendicitis treated?
• How is an appendectomy done?
• What are the complications of appendectomy?
• Are there long-term consequences of removing the appendix?
• Appendectomy At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Appendectomy - Describe Your Experience
• Find a local Doctor in your town
• Appendectomy Index

What are the complications of appendectomy?

The most common complication of appendectomy is infection of the wound, that is, of the surgical incision. Such infections vary in severity from mild, with only redness and perhaps some tenderness over the incision, to moderate, requiring only antibiotics, to severe, requiring antibiotics and surgical treatment. Occasionally, the inflammation and infection of appendicitis are so severe that the surgeon will not close the incision at the end of the surgery because of concern that the wound is already infected. Instead, the surgical closing is postponed for several days to allow the infection to subside with antibiotic therapy and make it less likely for infection to occur within the incision.

Another complication of appendectomy is an abscess, a collection of pus in the area of the appendix. Although abscesses can be drained of their pus surgically, there are also non-surgical techniques, as previously discussed.

Are there long-term consequences of appendectomy?

It is not clear if the appendix has an important role in the body in older children and adults. There are no major, long-term health problems resulting from removing the appendix although a slight increase in some diseases has been noted, for example, Crohn's disease.

Appendectomy At A Glance

• The appendix is a small, worm-like appendage attached to the colon.
• Appendicitis occurs when bacteria invade and infect the wall of theappendix.
• The most common complications of appendicitis are abscess and peritonitis.
• The most common manifestations of appendicitis are pain, fever, andabdominal tenderness.
• Appendicitis usually is suspected on the basis of a patient's historyand physical examination; however, a white blood cell count, urinalysis, abdominal x-ray, barium enema, ultrasonography, CT, and laparoscopy also may be helpful in diagnosis.
• Due to the varying size and location of the appendix and the proximity of other organs to the appendix, it may be difficult to differentiate appendicitis from other abdominal and pelvic diseases.
• The treatment for appendicitis usually is antibiotics and removal of the appendectomy.
• Complications of appendectomy include wound infection and abscess.