A REVIEW ON APPENDICITIS: A SURGICAL EMERGENCY

Sheron Thomas*, Bincy T. Abraham and K. Krishnakumar

ABSTRACT

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis is treated conservatively or surgically. It may be affected due to bacterial infections, foreign body; obstruction of luminal wall etc. there is no single specific test for the diagnosis of appendicitis. Correct diagnosis is essential because, abdominal pain can also be due to gastroenteritis, cholecystitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), mesenteric adenitis, inflammatory bowel disease, ovarian cyst and hernia. A delay in diagnosis and treatment, may lead to complication, increases morbidity, length of hospital stay, and cost. Different types of antimicrobial agents (AMA) are used for its management. If AMAs are not used properly it will lead to antibiotic resistance. This article reveals the clinical presentations, different diagnostic methods and antimicrobial therapy of appendicitis.

Keywords: Appendicitis, Antimicrobial agents, Appendectomy, Diagnosis.