Skip to SearchSkip to Main Content
Transcript of Skip to SearchSkip to Main Content
8/16/2019 Skip to SearchSkip to Main Content
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/skip-to-searchskip-to-main-content 1/6
Skip to searchSkip to main content
Sign in to NCBI
U.S. National Library of Medicine - The World's Largest Medical Library
About |
Home |
See us on Facebook |
Follow us |
Add us
|
Help
Search term Search database
Contents
For researchers
What's new
Featured review
Understanding clinical effectiveness
Blog
Home > Health A – Z > Appendicitis
Appendicitis Inflammation of the appendix.
PubMed Health Glossary
(Source: NIH - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
SymptomsTestsTreatments
About the Appendix
8/16/2019 Skip to SearchSkip to Main Content
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/skip-to-searchskip-to-main-content 2/6
About Appendicitis
An obstruction, or blockage, of the appendiceal lumen causes appendicitis. Mucus backs up
in the appendiceal lumen, causing bacteria that normally live inside the appendix to multiply.
As a result, the appendix swells and becomes infected. Sources of blockage include
stool, parasites, or growths that clog the appendiceal lumen
enlarged lymph tissue in the wall of the appendix, caused by infection in the GI tract
or elsewhere in the body
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative
colitis, long-lasting disorders that cause irritation and ulcers in the GI tract
trauma to the abdomen
An inflamed appendix will likely burst if not removed... NIH - National Institute of Diabetes
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
What works? Research summarized
Evidence reviews
Antibiotic therapy compared to appendectomy in the treatment of acute appendicitis.
Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical causes of acute abdominal pain.
Appendectomy is the treatment of choice, however surgical complications are inherent to
operative treatment. Recent research on primary antibiotic therapy (without surgery) reported
good results.
Laparoscopic ("key hole") surgery for appendicitis
In the right lower part of the abdomen there is a small blind ending intestinal tube, called
appendix. Inflammation of the appendix is called appendicitis and is usually acute in onset.
Appendicitis is most frequent in children and young adults. Most cases require emergency
surgery, in order to avoid rupture of the appendix into the abdomen. During the operation,
called appendectomy, the inflamed appendix is surgically removed. The traditional surgical
approach involves a small incision (about 5 cm or 2 inches) in the right lower abdominal
wall. Alternatively, it is possible to perform the operation by laparoscopy. This operation,
called laparoscopic appendectomy, requires 3 very small incisions (each about 1 cm or 1/2inch). The surgeon then introduces a camera and some instruments into the abdomen and
removes the appendix as in the conventional operation.
Meta-analysis of randomised trials on laparoscopic versus open surgery for acute
appendicitis: has firm evidence been reached?
Bibliographic details: Penninga L, Gluud C, Wetterslev J. Meta-analysis of randomised trials
on laparoscopic versus open surgery for acute appendicitis: has firm evidence been
reached? Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2014; 18(7): 1383-138424682630
See all (109)
8/16/2019 Skip to SearchSkip to Main Content
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/skip-to-searchskip-to-main-content 3/6
Summaries for consumers
Antibiotic therapy compared to appendectomy in the treatment of acute appendicitis.
Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical causes of acute abdominal pain.
Appendectomy is the treatment of choice, however surgical complications are inherent tooperative treatment. Recent research on primary antibiotic therapy (without surgery) reported
good results.
Laparoscopic ("key hole") surgery for appendicitis
In the right lower part of the abdomen there is a small blind ending intestinal tube, called
appendix. Inflammation of the appendix is called appendicitis and is usually acute in onset.
Appendicitis is most frequent in children and young adults. Most cases require emergency
surgery, in order to avoid rupture of the appendix into the abdomen. During the operation,
called appendectomy, the inflamed appendix is surgically removed. The traditional surgical
approach involves a small incision (about 5 cm or 2 inches) in the right lower abdominal
wall. Alternatively, it is possible to perform the operation by laparoscopy. This operation,
called laparoscopic appendectomy, requires 3 very small incisions (each about 1 cm or 1/2
inch). The surgeon then introduces a camera and some instruments into the abdomen and
removes the appendix as in the conventional operation.
Drain use after an open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis
Appendicitis refers to inflammation of the appendix. Appendectomy, the surgical removal of
the appendix, is performed primarily in patients who have acute appendicitis. Patients
undergoing an appendectomy for complicated appendicitis, which is defined as gangrenous(soft‐tissue death) or perforated (burst) appendicitis, are more likely to suffer from
postoperative complications. The routine placement of a surgical drain to prevent intra‐ peritoneal abscess (a localised collection of pus in the abdomen or pelvis) after an
appendectomy for complicated appendicitis is controversial.
See all (9)
Terms to know
Abdomen
The area between the chest and the hips containing the stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.
Appendectomy
Surgery to remove the appendix (small finger-shaped pouch at the end of the first part
of the large intestine).
Gastrointestinal Tract (GI Tract)
The large, muscular tube that extends from the mouth to the anus, where the
movement of muscles, along with the release of hormones and enzymes, allows for
the digestion of food. Also called the alimentary canal or digestive tract.
Lumen
The cavity or channel within a tube or tubular organ such as a blood vessel or theintestine.
8/16/2019 Skip to SearchSkip to Main Content
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/skip-to-searchskip-to-main-content 4/6
Lymph
The clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help
fight infections and other diseases. Also called lymphatic fluid.
Parasites
An animal or plant that gets nutrients by living on or in an organism of another
species. A complete parasite gets all of its nutrients from the host organism, but asemi-parasite gets only some of its nutrients from the host.
More about Appendicitis
Other terms to know: See all 6
Abdomen, Appendectomy, Gastrointestinal Tract (GI Tract)
Keep up with systematic reviews on Appendicitis:
Create e-mail alerts with My NCBI
Create RSS
PubMed Health Blog...
New Research Methods Resources - Plus a
PubMed Filter
If you’re interested in the scientific methods behind systematic reviews, we’ve now
made it easier for you to...
read all...
PubMed Health Home | About PubMed Health | Copyright | Disclaimer | See us on Facebook
| Follow us | Add us | Contact Us
8/16/2019 Skip to SearchSkip to Main Content
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/skip-to-searchskip-to-main-content 5/6
You are here: NCBI > Literature > PubMed Health
Write to the Help Desk
Simple NCBI Directory
Getting Started NCBI Education
NCBI Help Manual
NCBI Handbook
Training & Tutorials
Submit Data
Resources
Chemicals & Bioassays
Data & Software
DNA & RNA Domains & Structures
Genes & Expression
Genetics & Medicine
Genomes & Maps
Homology
Literature
Proteins
Sequence Analysis
Taxonomy
Variation
Popular PubMed
Bookshelf
PubMed Central
PubMed Health
BLAST
Nucleotide
Genome
SNP
Gene
Protein
PubChem
Featured Genetic Testing Registry
PubMed Health
GenBank
Reference Sequences
Gene Expression Omnibus
Map Viewer
Human Genome Mouse Genome
8/16/2019 Skip to SearchSkip to Main Content
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/skip-to-searchskip-to-main-content 6/6
Influenza Virus
Primer-BLAST
Sequence Read Archive
NCBI Information
About NCBI Research at NCBI
NCBI News
NCBI FTP Site
NCBI on Facebook
NCBI on Twitter
NCBI on YouTube
External link. Please review our privacy policy.
NLM
NIH
DHHS
USA.gov
Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Browsers | Accessibility | Contact
National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine 8600
Rockville Pike, Bethesda MD, 20894 USA