Appendicitis
The appendix is small part of the bowel or intestine about the size of a child's little finger or a small worm. It lies low down in the right side of your tummy.
Appendicitis can occur at any age but is common among children and teenagers. It is less common as you get older.
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Symptoms |
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Speak to your doctor if your child has severe pain, and don't give them anything to eat or drink. Urgent surgery to remove the appendix (called an appendectomy) is needed, before it bursts or perforates. If this occurs, infectious pus is spilt into the abdomen, which can then lead to peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen). Antibiotic treatment, painkillers and sometimes intravenous fluids are also usually given. |
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Causes |
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Appendicitis is caused by infection. It's not clear why the infection occurs. It could be that digested food blocks the opening of the appendix, and then the appendix becomes inflamed. |
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Treatment |
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Your child will have a general anaesthetic, and will be asleep for the whole operation. The appendix may be taken out by the keyhole method, or by the open method. The doctors will discuss this with you. If taking out the appendix using the keyhole method is not best for your child, the open method is performed. This means making a cut in the skin and muscle over the appendix. The appendix is cut off and the hole in the bowel is closed. The wound is then stitched up. Alternatively, the keyhole method means making 2 wounds about 1 cm (half an inch) long in the front of your child's tummy, plus another one in the tummy button. A very narrow telescope called a laparoscope is passed through one of the wounds. The surgeon can see what is going on inside the tummy using a television screen. Special narrow instruments are passed through the other wounds. The appendix can be freed, and brought out through one of the wounds. Then the wounds are closed with stitches under the skin and sticky strips on the skin. If the appendix cannot be safely taken out this way, then a bigger wound is needed to do the job. The surgeon can only tell at the time of the operation. Sometimes the surgeon may find something different inside the tummy. He would deal with this as it happens. He would let you know about this. Usually after 2 to 3 days from the time operation, your child will be fit enough to leave hospital. |
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Recommended web sites |
AppendicitisA link to the BBC health websiteAppendicitisA leaflet from Patient UK |
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