1. Presented by: Alexander Romanov & Jake Kutkevicius
Appendicitis
Presented by: Alexander Romanov & Jake Kutkevicius

2. Description
Appendicitis is the swelling or inflammation of the appendix.
The appendix is a finger-shaped organ attached to the beginning of the large intestine.

3. Description cont.
Some doctors believe it is a vestigial organ with no purpose in the human body.
Other doctors believe it serves a function as part of the immune system.
Either way, there are no known harmful effects from the removal of the appendix.

4. Symptoms of Appendicitis
Pain
Reduced appetite, vomiting, and low fever
Pain near the lower abdomen at McBurney’s point
Symptoms consist of: chills, constipation, diarrhea, fever, shaking, vomiting

6. How to diagnose Appendicitis
Pain will increase when the doctor gently presses on the lower right belly area
Rectal Exam
Doctors can diagnose appendicitis by:
The description of the symptoms
The physical exam
Lab tests
Abdominal CT Scan or Abdominal ultrasound

7. Appendicitis
Normal Appendix

8. Treatment
Antibiotics are begun as soon as evidence for appendicitis is discovered.
However, antibiotics don’t work very often and if they do it is generally because the problem was not so great to begin with.
Surgery on the appendix called an appendectomy is usually needed.

9. Appendectomy There are two types of appendectomy's.
They are laparotomic and laparoscopic appendectomy.
Laparascopic is where small incisions are made on the side of the abdomen and a small camera is used to remove the appendix.
Laparotomic is where larger incisions are made on the front right side of the abdomen and the appendix is removed.
The main difference is that it takes less time to recover from a laparoscopic appendectomy.

10. Mechanism of Appendicitis
Blockage by
Stool
Foreign Object
Cancer
May also occur from infection and swells

12. Bibliography