Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)

Appendicitis is one of the most common diseases of the abdomen and mainly affects children aged around 10-12 years. However, children and adults of any age can be affected.

Patients typically present with right-sided lower abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, nausea and sometimes vomiting. Some patients initially describe pain in the area of the navel, which gradually moves to the right lower abdomen.

The diagnosis is based on the patient's medical history, the clinical and laboratory chemical examination. In most cases, a sonography of the abdomen is also performed.

The treatment consists of surgical removal of the appendix. This is carried out at the UKBB using a minimally invasive procedure, i.e. the so-called keyhole technique. Only three tiny incisions are made in the abdomen. Any subsequent scars are therefore barely visible.

If the vermiform appendix is not perforated (i.e. not 'burst'), patients are usually hospitalised for two nights.

If the vermiform appendix is perforated, several days of antibiotic therapy are required after the operation. The antibiotics are administered via the vein and patients remain hospitalised for this period. The length of hospitalisation is then typically five to seven nights.

After perforated (burst) Appendicitis can lead to an abscess collection in the abdomen, which, depending on its size and course, is either treated with intravenous antibiotics alone or requires abscess puncture and drainage under short anaesthesia.

• Appendectomy in Switzerland: how is it done? Obrist NM, Tschuor C, Breitenstein S, Vuille-Dit-Bille RN, Soll C. Updates Surg. 2019 Jun;71(2):375-380
• Appendiceal stump closure with polymeric clips is a reliable alternative to endostaplers. Vuille-Dit-Bille R, Soll C, Mazel P, Staerkle RF, Breitenstein S.J Int Med Res. 2020 Jan;48(1)
• Appendiceal stump closure in children using polymeric clips is a reliable alternative to endoloops. Vuille-Dit-Bille RN, Staerkle RF, Derderian SC, Dewberry LC, Breitenstein S, Soll C.Minerva Chir. 2020 Aug;75(4)