Treatment:

If you do not have complications, a surgeon will usually remove your appendix soon after your doctor thinks you might have the condition. For information on this type of surgery see: Appendectomy.

Because the tests used to diagnose appendicitis are not perfect, sometimes the operation will show that your appendix is normal. In that case, the surgeon will remove your appendix and explore the rest of your abdomen for other causes of your pain.

If a CT scan shows that you have an abscess from a ruptured appendix, you may be treated for infection. You will have your appendix removed after the infection and swelling have gone away.

Expectations (prognosis):

If your appendix is removed before it ruptures, you will likely get well very soon after surgery. If your appendix ruptures before surgery, you will probably recover more slowly, and are more likely to develop an abscess or other complications.

Complications:

• Abnormal connections between abdominal organs or between these organs and the skin surface (fistula)
• Abscess
• Blockage of the intestine
• Infection inside the abdomen (peritonitis)
• Infection of the surgical wound

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have abdominal pain in the lower-right portion of your belly, or any other symptoms of appendicitis. Also call your doctor if:

• Your pain is severe, sudden, or sharp
• You have a fever along with your pain
• You are vomiting blood or have bloody diarrhea
• You have a hard abdomen that is tender to touch
• You are unable to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
• You have chest, neck, or shoulder pain
• You are dizzy or light-headed
• You have nausea and a lack of appetite with your pain
• You are losing weight that you did not mean to lose
• You have yellowing of your eyes or skin
• You have bloating for more than 2 days
• You have diarrhea for more than 5 days, or your infant or child has had diarrhea for 2 days or vomiting for 12 hours (call right away if a baby younger than 3 months has diarrhea or vomiting)
• You have had abdominal pain for more than 1 week
• You have burning with urination or you are urinating more often than usual
• You have pain and may be pregnant
• Your pain gets worse when you take antacids or eat something