The appendix is a small tubular finger sized organ which is present in the lower abdomen on the right side and is attached to the first part of the large intestine. This organ doesn’t have any function in the human body but is prone to get infected by blockage of its lumen.

When such an infection occurs, it is known as acute appendicitis. Generally , it occurs in children and young adults upto the age of 25 years. The pain is vague and centrally located at first but then it becomes more severe and shifts to the right lower part of the abdomen in a few hours. The pain is accompanied by nausea and there may multiple episodes of vomiting. Appetite is suppressed and later on the patient may develop fever.

In some cases, the patient may have altered bowel habits in the form of loose motions or constipation. The diagnosis of appendicitis is made based on clinical features, blood tests and ultrasound of the abdomen. Doctors generally employ a scoring system which increases the probability of a correct diagnosis.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed , the treatment is by urgent surgical intervention which is generally by laparoscopic approach.

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