Appendicitis Flashcards
What is appendicitis?
Inflammation of the appendix
How is appendicitis caused?
Pathogens get trapped due to obstruction where appendix meets bowel
Leads to infection and inflammation– Rupture
What is the main sign of appendicitis?
Abdominal pain- Starts central and moves to the right iliac fossa
Where is there tenderness in appendicitis?
McBurney’s Point
Where is McBurney’s point?
1/3 from the ASIS to the umbilicus
What type of tenderness is there with appendicitis?
Rebound tenderness
Percussion tenderness
(peritonitis)
What is another common sign with appendicitis?
Rovsing’s sign
What is Rovsing’s sign?
Pain in RLQ when LLQ palpated
What are other possible symptoms of appendicitis?
Loss of appetite
Fever
Nausea/vomiting
How is Appendicitis normally diagnosed?
Clinically via Alvarado’s score
What would you test for along with Alvarado’s score?
Inflammatory markers
When would you carry out a CT scan?
When another diagnosis is possible
What scan would you carry out in women?
Ultrasound
Why would you carry out an ultrasound in women?
To check for ovarian or gynaecological problems
What investigation would you carry out if all investigations are negative?
Diagnostic Laparoscopy
What is the management of appendicitis?
Appendectomy
What type of Appendectomy is associated with less risk?
Laparoscopic is comparison to open
What are possible complications of an appendectomy?
Bleeding, Infection, pain, Scars
Damage to bladder or Bowel
Differentail diagnosis of appendicitis?
Ectopic pregnancy
Ovarian cyst
Meckel’s diverticulum
Mesenteric adenitis
What other signs is associated with appendicitis?
Psoas sign
What is psoas sign?
Pain on extending hip if retrocaecal appendix
What can be given to reduce wound infection rates?
administration of prophylactic intravenous antibiotics reduces wound infection rates
What do patients with perforated appendicitis require?
Copious abdominal lavage
