Appendicitis
What is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is very common in childhood, and appendicectomy is the most common emergency operation performed by a paediatric surgeon.
Appendicitis will affect 9% of people in their lifetime. It is most common in the second decade of life (from age ten), and is very rare under the age of four. Appendicitis can present in many ways, and is commonly misdiagnosed as other conditions, even by professionals.
The classic features of appendicitis includes;
Abdominal pain that begins as crampy pain in the middle of the tummy, and slowly becomes sharp, constant and moves to the right hand side.
Vomiting, often only once or twice, but can be profuse as well
A loss of appetite
A gradually increasing fever
Pain in the abdomen when your child walks, or jumps, or even when they go to the toilet.
If you are concerned about abdominal pain that could be appendicitis, then you should see your GP or go to your nearest emergency department where the doctor will take a history, examine your child's abdomen, and may do a blood test and an ultrasound.
If they are concerned that your child has appendicitis, they will find a surgeon who can help to determine if your child needs surgery, and when and where this might happen.
DR ROB’S APPROACH
Dr Rob is an expert in the assessment and surgical care of appendicitis in the treatment of children of all ages. He recommends a key hole (laparoscopic) approach in the vast majority of cases.
Children with possible appendicitis can be referred to Dr Rob via the Pindara and John Flynn Private Hospital emergency departments.
POST OPERATIVE CARE AND RECOVERY
After your childs operation, their recovery will depend on how severe the appendicitis was. If they had mild appendicitis, they may only need one more night in hospital, and one or two doses of intravenous antibiotics. If they have a severe appendicitis, then their recovery will be slower, they will not be well enough to eat straight away, they may need up to 5 days of intravenous antibiotics in hospital.
Severe appendicitis also has a 10 - 30% risk of having a recurrent infection and may need more antibiotics and additional procedures to aid in their recovery. Dr Rob will see you every day to guide you through this recovery, and will teach you what signs to look out for after you have left the hospital.
Recovery after mild appendicitis is rapid, and your child should be ready to return to school after 1 week, and sports after 2 weeks. Your child can have a bath or shower the day after surgery. Your child should be given Paracetamol and Ibuprofen regularly for a few days, pain relief is rarely required any longer than this.
After severe appendicitis, it can take a few weeks to partially recover, and your child can feel tired and intermittently a little sore for months.
Dr Rob will follow your child's recovery closely. All patients are expected to make a full recovery eventually, and there is no evidence that having an appendix removed has any serious long term effects.
DR ROB McCUSKER
Gold Coast Children’s Surgeon
Dr Rob is dedicated to the highest quality of care and technical excellence for his patients.