Appendicitis

Question 1

When is the peak age of appendicitis

Answer 1

Ages 10-20 and then over 5o years

Question 2

Signs of appendicitis

Answer 2

Tenderness at McBurney’s point, Rovsing’s sign, gaurding

Question 3

Symptoms of appendicitis

Answer 3

Loss of appetite, pain, low grade fever, nausea and vomiting

Question 4

What is the characteristic pain in appendicitis

Answer 4

Central abdominal pain which moves down to the RIF in the first 24 hours

Question 5

Which signs suggest peritonitis

Answer 5

Rebound tenderness, percussion tenderness

Question 6

Diagnosis of appendicitis

Answer 6

Clinical presentation and raised inflammatory markers

Question 7

What to do if the clinical presentation is positive but investigations are negative

Answer 7

Diagnostic laparoscopy is performed

Question 8

Important differentials to rule out

Answer 8

Ectopic pregnancy, Ovarians cysts, Meckel’s diverticulum, mesenteric adenitis

Question 9

What is an appendix mass

Answer 9

Occurs when the omentum surrounds and sticks to the inflamed appendix, forming a mass in the right iliac fosssa

Question 10

How is appendix mass managed

Answer 10

Supportive treatment and Abx, followed by appendicectomy when acute condition has resolved

Question 11

Management of appendicitis

Answer 11

Removal of inflamed appendix

Question 12

Management of appendicitis

Answer 12

Removal of inflamed appendix

Question 13

Complications of appendicectomy

Answer 13

Bleeding, pain, infection, scars, damage to other organs, removal of normal appendix, anaesthetic risks, VTE