Is chronic appendicitis serious?

Written by Li Jin Quan

General Surgery

Updated on March 06, 2025

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Chronic appendicitis can achieve good treatment outcomes through active surgical treatment or conservative treatment, and the cases of appendicitis here are not severe. However, a very small portion of patients with chronic appendicitis, especially those with underlying diseases such as diabetes, are at risk of developing a purulent infection of the appendix, which can lead to perforation of the appendix and result in diffuse peritonitis, sepsis, septic shock, and multiple organ failure. Thus, it can be said that there are indeed a few severe cases among patients with chronic appendicitis.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

49sec

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How to diagnose appendicitis

Appendicitis is primarily diagnosed clinically through a physical examination. The patient is asked to lie flat, exposing the abdomen, with legs bent. The doctor stands on the patient’s right side and uses the right hand with fingers together to gently rub the abdomen, pressing on the McBurney's point. If there is significant pain, this is considered positive tenderness. Then, the doctor quickly lifts the fingers; if there is significant rebound pain, it is generally confirmed as acute appendicitis. During acute appendicitis, as the appendix lumen expands and the appendix becomes congested and edematous, ultrasound imaging can also show corresponding signs that serve as an auxiliary diagnosis. Once acute appendicitis is confirmed, it is mostly treated surgically.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

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Will there be a scar from appendicitis surgery?

Appendectomy can leave scars, especially more noticeable in people prone to scarring. Currently, there is a minimally invasive treatment that involves the removal of the appendix under laparoscopy. This method only requires three small incisions on the abdomen, resulting in smaller scars and a faster postoperative recovery. The traditional method, which involves making an incision at McBurney's point, leaves a slightly larger scar and has a slower recovery process. After recovery, the application of aloe vera can help reduce scarring. It is important to take good care of the incision, eat plenty of vegetables to prevent constipation, and protect the incision. At least two weeks of rest is necessary after the surgery, during which vigorous exercise should be avoided.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

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Can appendicitis cause a fever?

Appendicitis can cause fever, and generally, it is considered an inflammatory condition. Besides fever, patients may experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, etc. Typically, the abdominal pain manifests as lower right quadrant pain, which is referred pain. If a patient has fever and typical lower right quadrant pain, further investigations like abdominal ultrasound, complete blood count, and CT scans should be carried out. Diagnosing appendicitis is usually not difficult. The treatment of choice for appendicitis is generally surgical intervention, especially for early-stage patients with symptoms lasting less than three days, where an appendectomy is recommended. However, in some elderly patients with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, etc., who are not suitable for surgery, especially if the duration of the illness is more than three days, conservative medical treatment can be chosen. Conservative treatment primarily involves active anti-infection and anti-inflammatory measures and usually takes longer. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Huang Gang

Gastroenterology

1min

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Acute appendicitis clinical features

Acute appendicitis generally presents primarily as abdominal pain, specifically migratory pain to the lower right abdomen. Initially, the patient may experience stomach pain, which gradually shifts to pain in the lower right abdomen. Whether it is appendicitis needs to be diagnosed by a physical examination by a doctor, or an ultrasound of the appendix during the acute phase can be performed. If the appendix appears significantly swollen on the ultrasound, it can also confirm the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Typically, the best treatment for acute appendicitis is surgery, especially if the condition is very severe and critical, as it may lead to perforation of the appendix and result in purulent peritonitis, which is very serious and life-threatening. Therefore, once diagnosed with acute appendicitis, it is best to be hospitalized for surgery.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

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Does appendicitis surgery hurt?

Appendectomy is performed under either epidural or general anesthesia, so the procedure is completely painless. However, postoperatively, as the anesthesia wears off, there may be slight pain at the incision site. Painkillers can be taken if the pain is intolerable. Additionally, close monitoring of vital signs is important postoperatively. Regular dressing changes at the surgical site and dietary control are required. For the first one to two days after surgery, a semi-liquid diet is recommended. From the third to the fifth day, patients can gradually transition to a normal diet. Furthermore, consuming high-protein foods can enhance nutrition and promote healing of the incision.