Transcript Quah Hak Mein Colorectal Centre

Causes, Symptoms & Treatments of
Appendix- Quah Hak Mein Colorectal
Centre
Appendicitis, medically termed as epityphlitis is an
inflammatory disease that affects the appendix. It needs a
surgical emergency. In most of the cases the surgery
involves removal of the inflamed appendix by laparotomy
or laparoscopy. A surgery is essential because the rupture of
the appendix may result into severe complications such as
sepsis and peritonitis. This ailment was first discovered by
Reginald Fitz in 1886. Today it is considered as the most
common and significant cause of chronic abdominal pain.
Signs & Symptoms:
1. It typically causes severe abdominal pain that starts
around the naval and then shifts to the lower right area of
the abdomen. The pain usually tends to increase and
becomes unbearable sometimes.
2. There also may be soreness if the lower right area of the
abdomen is pressed.
3. Nausea
4. Mild fever
5. Vomiting
6. Constipation
7. Loss of appetite
8. Diarrhoea
Causes
According to specialists, this disease is caused due to the
following reasons:
1. Stomach infection- Appendix might be infected
2. Obstruction- A hard piece of stool might have got
trapped somewhere in the appendix. The appendix might
have been infected by the bacteria present in the stool.
Treatments
1. Medications:
 Acute appendicitis is typically managed by surgery.
However, in minor cases, antibiotics are safe and
effective.
 Pain can be relieved through medications such as
morphine.
2. Surgery:
 Surgery is administered in case of severe cases which
involves removal of the appendix. In medical terms, this
surgery is known as appendicectomy.
 Laparotomy- This is a traditional surgical procedure for
treating this ailment. It involves removal of the infected
appendix through a single incision of 2 to 3 inches over
the lower right area of the abdomen. This appendix
surgery in Singapore is performed under general
anesthesia.
Laparoscopic surgery- This is the latest method of treating
appendicitis. Three to four incisions are made in the
abdomen, each 0.25 to 0.5 inches long. The procedure is
performed by inserting a particular surgical device known
as laparoscope through any one incision. This device is
connected to a monitor outside the patient's body. This
allows the surgeon to inspect the infected area in the
abdomen. The removal of the appendix is done through the
other two incisions. During the surgery, general anesthesia
is administered.
To know more about appendix do follow
http://colorectalcentre.com.sg/appendicitis.html
About Doctor
Dr Quah Hak Mien
MBChB, M.Med(Surgery),
FRCSEd, FAMS(General
Surgery)
Colorectal and General
Surgery
Contact Info
Address: Quah Hak Mien Colorectal Centre, 6 Napier Road,
#05-01 Gleneagles Medical Centre,
Singapore 258499
Tel: +65 6479 7189
Fax: +65 6471 1929
Emergency (24 hours): +65 6535 8833
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.colorectalcentre.com.sg
Operating Hours
Our centre timings are:
Mon-Fri: 8.30 am – 5 pm
Sat: 8.30 am – 1 pm.
Closed on Sundays & on Singapore public holidays.