Appendicitis is an infectious inflammation of the appendix, a small piece of tissue that is attached to the end of the small intestine (terminal ileum). The treatment for appendicitis is surgical—the inflamed appendix must be removed. Complications of appendicitis may be perforation (rupture) and development of an abscess—a pocket of infection in the abdomen, generalized spreading of the infection throughout the abdomen (peritonitis), shock, and death. Surgery must be performed as promptly as possible to prevent or lessen the severity of these complications. Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency.
Common symptoms of acute appendicitis include abdominal pain, classically around the umbilicus at first and then moving and localizing to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen; fever; constipation or diarrhea; and nausea and vomiting. Pain may be in different places in the lower abdomen or rectal area as well.
Appendicitis medical expert witness specialties include general surgery, pediatric surgery, emergency medicine, pediatric emergency medicine, anesthesiology, pediatric anesthesiology, infectious disease, and pediatric infectious disease.