What department should I go to for appendicitis?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 08, 2025
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Appendicitis is a common disease in general surgery, so one can register for a general surgery appointment.

In clinical practice, the diagnosis of appendicitis is mainly based on clinical manifestations. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. The abdominal pain starts around the navel and then moves to the lower right abdomen after several hours, where the pain becomes localized.

Once diagnosed with appendicitis, surgery is often required. Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy is commonly used. This surgical method requires general anesthesia and is relatively complex, but recovery is quicker, and patients typically can be discharged after a routine 3-day hospital stay.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Does chronic appendicitis cause a high fever?

Chronic appendicitis is just a common gastrointestinal disease. Generally, chronic appendicitis does not involve fever. However, a low-grade fever may occur when the inflammation in some cases of chronic appendicitis is not well-controlled. A small percentage of chronic appendicitis can acutely flare up and lead to a purulent infection, causing purulent appendicitis, which may lead to perforation of the appendix, diffuse peritonitis, septic shock, and high fever. Therefore, it is essential to actively treat chronic appendicitis, and early surgical intervention is recommended.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Where does chronic appendicitis hurt?

Chronic appendicitis, unlike acute appendicitis, does not begin with upper abdominal pain followed by pain in the lower right abdomen, which we refer to as migratory lower right abdominal pain; migratory lower right abdominal pain is a characteristic symptom of acute appendicitis. Chronic appendicitis typically presents with chronic recurrent pain, discomfort, dull pain, or bloating in the lower right abdomen. During a physical examination, chronic appendicitis generally manifests as fixed tenderness in the lower right abdomen, with less evident rebound pain. Rebound pain in the lower right abdomen during a physical exam only occurs when chronic appendicitis acutely flares up and signs of peritonitis are present.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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What should I do about chronic appendicitis?

Most cases of chronic appendicitis are transformed from treated acute appendicitis. Clinically, chronic appendicitis mainly presents as recurrent pain or dull pain in the lower right abdomen. When diagnosed with chronic appendicitis, active surgical treatment is recommended. Currently, the surgical options include traditional open appendectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy, which is referred to as minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery causes less trauma and allows for quicker recovery.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How to relieve appendicitis pain

Pain relief for appendicitis can be achieved using medications, such as antispasmodics and sedatives. If medication control is ineffective, surgery to remove the appendix should be considered, as this can address the root cause of abdominal pain. Moreover, for acute appendicitis, surgical treatment is relatively definitive. While medications can manage symptoms temporarily, appendicitis often recurs after some time. Laparoscopic appendix removal is an option that causes less harm to the patient and typically allows for a quicker postoperative recovery.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Acute appendicitis nursing issues

Patients with acute appendicitis should pay attention to diet control during the shivering phase and should refrain from eating or drinking during the attack phase and preoperative preparations. For those with noticeable abdominal pain, a semi-recumbent position should be adopted to reduce muscle tension and alleviate pain. After surgery, it is crucial to closely monitor vital signs, measuring respiration, blood pressure, pulse, etc. On the first day post-surgery, a semi-liquid diet may be chosen, and a normal diet can be resumed on days 3 to 4 post-surgery. It is important to ensure rest, and heavy physical labor should be avoided within two weeks after the surgery.