This document discusses the anatomy, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of acute appendicitis. It notes that the appendix is commonly located retrocecally and is supplied by the appendicular artery. The classic symptoms of acute appendicitis are known as Murphy's triad of periumbilical pain shifting to the right lower quadrant, anorexia, and fever. Diagnosis is made through physical exam finding tenderness at McBurney's point and confirmed through blood tests, urine analysis, and imaging like ultrasound or CT scan. Treatment is through open or laparoscopic appendectomy, while appendicular masses may be initially treated conservatively with antibiotics using the Ochsner-Sherren regimen before interval appendectomy
2. Introduction
Considered by most to be a vestigial organ
Its importance in surgery
Acute appendicitis
Carcinoid tumour
3. Anatomy
Blind muscular tube
Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis propria and serosa
Positions
Retrocaecal 74%
Pelvic 21%
Paracaecal 2%
Pre ileal 1%
Post ileal 0.5%
Subcaecal 1.5%
4. Anatomy
Appendicular artery runs in mesoappendix
It is an ‘end-artery’ & a branch of ileocolic artery
Microscopic anatomy
Lined by columnar cell of colonic type
Crypts are present in the mucosa in which lie the
argentaffin (Kultschitzsky) cells
5. Acute appendicitis
Reginald Fitz first published paper on appendicular
perforation in 1886
Charles McBurney described clinical features including
the point of maximum tenderness in Rt. iliac fossa
McBurney’s point
6. Aetiology
No definite single aetiology
Obstruction of lumen by
Faecolith
Pin worms
Carcinoma caecum etc.
7. Clinical features
Murphy’s triad
Periumbilical pain shifting to Rt.iliac fossa
Anorexia, nausea and vomiting
Fever
Signs
Tachycardia, pyrexia
Tenderness or rebound tenderness in Rt. iliac fossa
Guarding or rigidity
Rovsing’s sign
Positive ‘Psoas sign’
Positive ‘Obturator test’
16. Appendicular mass
May form by 3rd day of acute appendicitis
Consists of inflamed appendix, greater omentum,
oedematous caecal wall & oedematous coils of small
intestine
It may form an abscess or resolve with treatment
Differential diagnosis of appendicular mass
Carcinoma caecum
Ileocaecal tuberculosis
17. Management of appendicular mass
Ochsner-Sherren regimen
Conservative treatment with
Nil by mouth
Ryle’s tube aspiration
Antibiotic therapy
Cephalosporins
Aminoglycoside
Metronidazole
Recording of size of mass daily
Recording of TPR chart 4hourly
Input & output chart
18. Management of appendicular mass
Interval appendicectomy if mass resolves after 6-8 weeks
Early laparotomy if appendicular abscess develops
Management of appendicular abscess
Controversial
Early laparotomy and drainage of abscess with
appendicectomy in one sitting
Percutaneous US or CT guided catheter drainage followed
by elective appendicectomy 8-12 weeks later
19. Complications of appendicitis
Perforation
Postoperative wound infection
Intra abdominal and pelvic abscess
Pyelephlebitis
Enterocutaneous fistula
Small bowel obstruction
20. Points to remember
Diff. diagnosis of acute appendicitis in adult males include
Right ureteric colic
Rt. acute pyelonephritis
Perforated peptic ulcer
Testicular torsion
Acute pancreatitis
Diff diagnosis of acute appendicitis in adult females include
Salpingitis
ovarian torsion
ectopic pregnancy
21. Points to remember
Complications of acute appendicitis include
Perforation
Postoperative wound infection
Intra abdominal and pelvic abscesses
Pyelephlebitis
Enterocutaneous fistula
Small bowel obstruction
Treatment of choice in acute appendicitis is
Open or laparoscopic appendicectomy
Regimen for conservative treatment of appendicular mass is
Ochsner- Sherren regimen