Lumen obstruction (faecolith, tumors, enlarged lymph nodes, foreign objects, etc.

Produced mucus

Increased intra-luminal pressure/appendix wall

Reduced blood flow

Mucosal edema and ulceration Focal acute appendicitis Interruption of blood flow Epigastric pain Venous obstruction, increased edema and bacteria through the wall

Inflammation of the peritoneum

Acute suppurative appendicitis

Impaired arterial blood flow

Pain in lower right area

Appendix wall infarction Gangrenous appendicitis

Gangrene

Wall of appendix (fragile)

Infiltration

Perforation

Infiltrated appendicularis

Perforation of appendix

TREATMENT
Acute appendicitis treatment consists of surgery to remove the appendix.

Appendectomy
During an appendectomy, an incision two to three inches in length is made through the skin and the layers of the abdominal wall over the area of the appendix. The surgeon enters the abdomen and looks for the appendix which usually is in the right lower abdomen. After examining the area around the appendix to be certain that no additional problem is present, the appendix is removed. Newer techniques for removing the appendix involve the use of the laparoscope. The laparoscope is a thin telescope attached to a video camera that allows the surgeon to inspect the inside of the abdomen through a small puncture wound (instead of a larger incision). If appendicitis is found, the appendix can be removed with special instruments that can be passed into the abdomen, just like the laparoscope, through small puncture wounds. The benefits of the laparoscopic technique include less post-operative pain (since much of the post-surgery pain comes from incisions) and a speedier return to normal activities. An additional advantage of laparoscopy is that it allows the surgeon to look inside the abdomen to make a clear diagnosis in cases in which the diagnosis of appendicitis is in doubt. At-Home Care After an Appendectomy After having your appendix removed, keep your incision clean to promote healing and avoid infection. Medications Unasan Dose 1 tab 375mg Frequency Indication BID Treatment of biliary tract infections, gastroenteritis, septicemia BID Treatment for pain and inflammation BID Treat moderate to severe pain chronic and acute pain and diagnostic procedure and surgery Side Effects Skin rashes, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting

Celebrex

1 tab 200mg

Anaphylaxis, insomnia, dizziness, coughing, abdominal pain, diarrhea

Tramal

1 tab 50mg

Anatomy and Physiology

The appendix is a narrow, One large muscular end is tube. of the

attached to the first part intestine, while the other end is closed. The position of the appendix in the body can vary from person to person. Found in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. An average adult appendix is about 4 inches (10cm) long. However, it can vary in length from as less as an inch to 8 inches. Its diameter is usually about about 6 to 7 mm. Foods that have not been digested tend to move into the appendix and are forced out again by the contractions of appendix. Appendix is blooded by apendicular artery which is a branch of the artery ileocolica. Arterial appendix is end arteries.

TRIVIAS ABOUT FUNCTIONS OF VERMIFORM APPENDIX > General good health of people who have had their appendix removed or who have a congenital absence of an appendix may tell that: Appendix is traditionally thought to have no function in the human body. There have been no reports of impaired immune or gastrointestinal function in people without an appendix > Some say; it secretes special type of mucus, IgA rich mucus which wors as anti-harmful bacterial agent. > Others suggest its a housekeep of the good bacteria