Complications of appendicitis: a complete list, signs

Common cause of complication acute appendicitis - late surgery. They come inevitably if the inflammatory process of the appendix is ​​left unattended for two days after the onset of the disease. And in children and the elderly it happens earlier. Many of them endanger the life of a person, excluding him from active life. What many do not know is that early diagnosis and treatment is a serious approach to avoiding complications.

Complications of acute appendicitis are divided into: preoperative and postoperative.

Preoperative complications

Appendicitis itself is not as dangerous as its complications. For example, adhesions in the appendix interfere with blood circulation in this organ. The solution to the problem comes after the removal of the appendix. An uncomplicated form of the disease is characterized by tolerable pain, one cannot discount the sign and judge a slight inflammation. Until the diseased process is excised, the disease is considered to be untreated.

Appendicular infiltration

This is the most common complication of acute appendicitis. Inflammation of the appendix due to the accumulation of inflamed tissues next to the affected process of the cecum. Appendicular infiltration with appendicitis, it occurs more often in adolescents aged 10 to 14 years than in the older generation. Patients experience symptoms:

• Increasing pain on the right side of the abdomen;
• Chills;
• Nausea;
• Less commonly, vomiting;
• Difficulty stool.

On day 3-4, a dense painful formation measuring 8 cm by 10 cm is palpated. Without urgent treatment, the infiltrate rapidly suppurates, a cavity filled with pus is formed. An appendicular abscess begins. The patient's physical condition deteriorates sharply:

• The temperature rises;
• The pain intensifies;
• Chills appear;
• Tachycardia occurs;
• Pallor of the skin.

An effective diagnostic method is ultrasound.

Purulent peritonitis

The most serious and dangerous for health and even human life is peritonitis. This is a common complication in which an infection from the appendix enters the abdominal cavity. There is an inflammation of the serous membrane covering the inner walls of the abdominal cavity.

This infection can be caused by:

1. Microorganisms (bacteria): Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, streptococci, staphylococci.
2. Inflammation of the injured peritoneum.
3. Surgical intervention in the peritoneal region.
4. Gastroenterological diseases.
5. Inflammatory processes in the pelvic region.
6. General infection in the body (tuberculosis, syphilis).

Stages of peritonitis:

• The reactive stage is the initial disease. The flow time is the first day. Subsequently, swelling of the peritoneum.
• The toxic stage lasts 48-52 hours from the beginning of the lesion. Clinical signs: severe symptoms of intoxication, hands, feet become cold, facial features sharpen, impaired consciousness, sometimes loss of consciousness, dehydration due to vomiting and high fever up to 42 degrees.
• Terminal is an irreversible, final stage. The duration does not exceed three days. Weakening of vital functions, protective functions are characteristic. The skin is pale with a bluish tinge, the cheeks are sunken, imperceptible breathing, no reaction to external stimuli, severe swelling.

Postoperative complications

Surgery is a surgical intervention in medicine, in which complications have been and will be. But their outcome depends on the early treatment of the patient for medical help. They can occur both during and after the operation.

In the postoperative period, complications from the operated wound may occur:

• Hematoma.
• Suppuration in every fifth patient at the incision site.
• Fistula.
• Bleeding.

Pylephlebitis

This is an acute, purulent inflammatory disease of the portal vein, accompanied by thrombosis. Secondary pathology arising as a complication of acute, especially advanced appendicitis. It can be recognized by ultrasound or X-ray diagnostic studies.

Symptoms:

• Fluctuations in body temperature with chills;
• Fast pulse;
• Soft belly;
• Enlarged liver on palpation;
• Labored breathing;
• Increasing anemia;
• Increased ESR.

With pylephlebitis, prevention of renal and hepatic failure is carried out. An operation to ligate the thrombosed vein located above the thrombosis is to be performed to prevent the thrombus from moving to the liver. This disease leads to death. It consists in inflammation of the portal vein, which accompanies and expands liver abscesses.

Clinical symptoms of pylephlebitis:

• Sharp temperature fluctuations;
• Chills;
• Skin with a yellow tint;
• Rapid pulse.

Intra-abdominal abscesses

An abdominal abscess is a severe complication after appendicitis. In terms of quantity, they can be single and multiple. The course of the features depends on the type and location of the abscess.

Classification of abscesses by site of localization:

• Interintestinal;
• Subphrenic;
• Appendicular;
• Pelvic parietal;
• Intraorgan.

An interintestinal abscess of the peritoneum is an abscess sealed in a capsule. Local location outside and inside the abdominal organs. Subsequent opening of the abscess threatens the penetration of pus into the abdominal cavity, intestinal obstruction. Sepsis is possible.

The most typical symptoms are:

• Dull pain in the right hypochondrium, radiating to the scapula;
• General malaise;
• Gases;
• Intestinal obstruction;
• Exhausting temperature changes;
• Asymmetry of the abdominal wall.

The multiple form of the disease has adverse consequences compared to single purulent formations. Often combined with pelvic. Usually develops in patients who have undergone peritonitis, which did not end with recovery.

Subphrenic abscesses occur as a complication after appendectomy. The reason is the presence of exudate left in the abdominal cavity, the penetration of infection into the subphrenic space.

Clinic of the disease:

• Constant pain in the lower chest, aggravated by coughing;
• Chills;
• Tachycardia;
• Dry cough;
• Sweating;
• Paralytic intestinal obstruction.

Treatment is prompt, operating - opening and draining the abscess. Depends on the location and number of abscesses. Clinic: the ingress of pus into the free and pleural cavity, sepsis.

Pelvic abscess - occurs when gangrenous appendicitis, less often it is a consequence of the transferred diffuse peritonitis. The method of treatment is opening the abscess, drainage, antibiotics, physiotherapy. Typical signs:

• Loose stools with mucus;
• Frequent urination with cuts;
• Increased rectal temperature.

Liver abscesses - with diseases of the abdominal cavity and a decrease in general immunity, microorganisms have time to spread beyond its limits, enter the liver tissue through the portal vein. The development of the disease occurs more often in patients over 40 years of age.

Signs:

• Pain in the right hypochondrium;
• Body temperature;
• State;
• Pain sensations of varying degrees, from strong to dull, from aching to insignificant;
• Indigestion;
• Decreased appetite;
• Bloating;
• Nausea;
• Diarrhea.

Sepsis is the process of contamination of the blood by bacteria. This is an extremely dangerous condition for the patient's life. The appearance is possible after an attack of appendicitis. This is the most dangerous consequence of an appendix surgery. When purulent inflammation becomes systemic in the postoperative period, bacteria in the blood spread the infection to all organs.

Potential treatments for sepsis include:

• Blood transfusion;
• Taking a comprehensive set of vitamins;
• The use of antibacterial drugs;
• Long-term treatment with a large number of bacterial drugs.

No one is immune from inflammatory processes in the body, but following simple recommendations will help minimize the occurrence of acute appendicitis and its complications. Shown to consume healthy, fiber-rich foods. Lead an active, healthy lifestyle for normal blood circulation in the abdominal organs. Undergo preventive examinations. People with chronic appendicitis it is possible to reduce the risk of complications to zero by performing a surgical operation. Timely consult a doctor with unknown symptoms, with suspected appendicitis. Before taking, do not take antispasmodic and analgesic drugs, limit fluid and food intake. Follow the surgeon's recommendations carefully after the appendix is ​​removed.