Appendicitis is a nonspecific inflammation of the vermiform appendix of the cecum.
Causes
Although appendicitis is not a new disease, its etiology remains unknown to this day. The most likely causes may include:
- Obstruction and inflammatory processes of the intestines;
- Parasitic invasions;
- Stagnation of fecal matter due to constipation and the formation of stones from it;
- Abdominal trauma and injuries to abdominal organs;
- Congenital anomalies of the development of the vermiform appendix (for example, excessive mobility or kinks).
Diagnosis of Appendicitis in Israel
The development of appendicitis can be suspected when the following symptoms manifest:
- Pain and tension in the abdominal wall at the site of the appendix projection – in the lower right iliac region. Initially, the pain may occur in the epigastric or periumbilical area and move to the lower abdomen only after several hours;
- Dryness of the tongue;
- The patient's desire to pull their legs up;
- Decreased appetite;
- Vomiting;
- Fever up to 38-39 degrees Celsius.
IMPORTANT! Before the arrival of a doctor, a patient with obvious symptoms of appendicitis is prohibited from:
- Taking any painkillers, as they relieve pain but do not eliminate its cause;
- Eating or drinking;
- Applying anything warm to the abdomen, as this may lead to the rupture of the inflamed appendix and result in peritonitis.
At the leading medical center in Israel, Ichilov, the patient will undergo a series of progressive diagnostic procedures to verify the diagnosis of appendicitis:
- Complete blood count;
- Ultrasound examination;
- The surgeon will check for appendicular symptoms through palpation.
In addition to taking the medical history, detailed consultations with leading specialists in gastroenterology, dietetics, and abdominal surgery are conducted at Ichilov.
Treatment of Appendicitis in Israel
Treatment involves only surgical intervention. At Ichilov, it can be performed using two techniques:
- Traditional laparotomy appendectomy. In the lower right iliac region, the surgeon makes an incision 8-10 cm long. After opening the abdominal cavity, a suction is placed to remove purulent contents. The surgeon then examines a meter of the intestine to prevent the detection of other pathological processes, both congenital (Meckel's diverticulum) and acquired. The vermiform appendix is then excised, sutures are applied, and the wound is closed;
- Laparoscopic appendectomy. Performed under general anesthesia. Before starting the operation, carbon dioxide is introduced into the abdominal cavity. This helps the surgeon enlarge the visible space for manipulation. The visualization of the surgeon's actions is displayed on a monitor using a camera that was previously inserted into the abdominal cavity. The operation lasts from one to two hours. The sutures applied by the surgeon dissolve in about 10-14 days.
Surgical intervention using this method at Ichilov has several undeniable advantages. First of all, it is minimally invasive for patients. The incisions made by the surgeon are very small (0.5-1.5 cm), allowing them to heal quickly and not leave a cosmetic defect in the form of a scar. At the same time, patients recover very quickly after such an operation, and the risk of complications approaches zero.