Appendicitis natural history, complications and prognosis

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Appendicitis Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Appendicitis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Diagnostic Scoring

X Ray

CT

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Appendicitis On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Appendicitis

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Appendicitis

CDC on Appendicitis

Appendicitis in the news

Blogs on Appendicitis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Appendicitis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Appendicitis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Natural History

The symptoms of Appendicitis typically develop acutely after the inflammation of the appendix. Without treatment, the patient will likely develop symptoms of pain starting centrally (periumbilical) before localizing to the right iliac fossa, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting which may eventually lead to death if peritonitis occurs due to appendiceal bursting.

Complications

In cases of acute appendicitis, life-threatening peritonitis can occur if the appendix bursts. It is for this reason that appendicitis cases are evaluated and treated speedily.

Prognosis

  • Most appendicitis patients recover easily with treatment, but complications can occur if treatment is delayed or if peritonitis occurs.
  • Recovery time depends on age, condition, complications, and other circumstances, including the amount of alcohol consumption, but usually is between 10 and 28 days. For young children (around 10 years old) the recovery takes three weeks.
  • Typical acute appendicitis responds quickly to appendectomy and occasionally will resolve spontaneously.
    • If appendicitis resolves spontaneously, it remains controversial whether an elective interval appendectomy should be performed to prevent a recurrent episode of appendicitis.
  • Atypical appendicitis (associated with suppurative appendicitis) is more difficult to diagnose and is more apt to be complicated even when operated early.
    • In either condition prompt diagnosis and appendectomy yield the best results with full recovery in two to four weeks usually.
  • Mortality and severe complications are unusual but do occur in cases of appendicitis, especially if peritonitis persists and is untreated