Appendicitis (Appendicitis) is an inflammation of the appendix of the cecum (Appendix), a common abdominal pathology, the treatment of which is unlikely to be avoided. Surgery to remove the appendix among practitioners is not considered difficult, as it has already been performed on many millions of patients. According to international medical statistics, about ⅕ of the world's population lives safely after the removal of the Appendix. The suture after appendicitis naturally remains and requires some care. Not only the period of returning to a full active life, but also the external (aesthetic) appearance of the abdominal cavity (which especially concerns the beautiful half of humanity) depends on the correct implementation of the recommendations of specialists.
Appendix functions
According to numerous physiologists, Appendix does not carry any useful functional load. We inherited it from our prehistoric ancestors and in the process of evolution turned into the so-called rudiment. However, some scientists suggest that it (due to its lymphatic system) helps the formation of general immunity during the growth period of the body in childhood.
In any case, the suture after appendicitis remains the only reminder that the Appendix was originally in our body. Removing this atavism will not entail any additional functional limitations.
The location of the appendix in the human body
From the individual physiological characteristics of the structure of the individual depends on which side the person has appendicitis. It can be located:
- in the bed of the right iliac region;
- behind the cecum (where it grows from);
- behind the peritoneum (quite atypical), and in this case its symptoms are often confused with acute inflammation of the kidneys or ureters;
- on the left side, with the so-called mirror arrangement of internal organs.
Symptoms and factors of the onset of the disease
Pain syndrome with appendicitis manifests itself, as a rule:
- in the right iliac region;
- first in the stomach, gradually going down the abdomen and localized either in its right side or in the center.
For information! Naturally, the manifestation of the pain syndrome depends largely on how and on which side the person’s appendicitis is located.
Inflammation of the appendix may be accompanied by:
- fever;
- nausea or vomiting.
The main factors in the occurrence of appendicitis are:
- clogged vessels or lumen of the appendix;
- infections spreading through the body with blood flow;
- adhesions in the pelvic area (primarily for women);
- the so-called unexplained or incomprehensible causes of the inflammatory focus.
Diagnostics
First of all, an experienced specialist makes a preliminary diagnosis on the basis of patient complaints, external examination and examination of the abdominal cavity with the help of fingers (pressure and sharp release in the right ileal region, tremors in the lower part of the large intestine, and so on). To strengthen the painful symptoms, the doctor draws conclusions about the presence of appendicitis and the urgency of surgical measures. If time allows, then in a mandatory case, a blood and urine test is performed.
Of the diagnostic tools, the best and most effective way is laparoscopy. The introduction of an endoscope (with a camera fixed at the end) through a small puncture allows the doctor to get the most complete picture of inflammation. Based on the data obtained, a decision is made on the method of performing the surgical operation.
Additional diagnostic procedures (such as ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) can be prescribed to identify concomitant diseases or complications, but they do not give a 100% correct result for an unambiguous diagnosis - appendicitis.
Treatment
To date, the only effective way to treat appendicitis is surgery. If the pathology is detected at an early stage, then two main methods are used to remove the appendix:
- Classical. First, make a small inclined incision, remove the inflamed process. Then, internal sutures are applied after appendicitis, which resolve in the healing process. After which the incision is sutured from the outside.
- Laparoscopic With this method, several thin punctures are made in the peritoneum, through which surgical instruments are inserted. This method is considered the most progressive and least traumatic. The cosmetic suture after surgery is a barely visible spot on the skin.
The patient spends in a hospital, as a rule, no more than 2 weeks. If appendicitis is complicated by peritonitis (local or diffuse purulent), then the duration of treatment increases significantly. In severe cases, this can take even several months.
When the stitches are removed
Removal of sutures after appendicitis is usually carried out 7-10 days after surgery. This procedure is almost painless and is performed quite quickly without the use of anesthesia. The healing time largely depends on the general health of the patient and his physiological characteristics.
The question of how often and how to process a postoperative suture in a hospital setting has long been resolved for medical workers. To prevent infection and accelerate the healing process, they use special solutions based on alcohol, furatsilina, iodinol and other skin antiseptics. After discharge from the hospital, the patient should strictly comply with all the recommendations of specialists, both for the care of external joints after the removal of appendicitis, and for the diet and allowable physical exertion.
What suture may remain after surgery
Which seam after appendicitis can remain on the patient’s body depends on the method of the surgery, as well as the severity of the pathology. After laparoscopy, faint puncture points remain. With a pathology timely detected and not burdened by complications, the seam length does not exceed 3-4 cm. In both cases, the use of modern healing drugs allows you to achieve a very good cosmetic effect and make the effects of the operation almost invisible.
In severe cases of appendicitis, the suture after surgery can be very significant (up to 25 cm in length). This is due to the presence of complications (for example, the need to remove purulent accumulations and the installation of special outgoing catheters). To visually minimize such sutures, not only external medications, but also special physiotherapeutic procedures may be needed.
Stage of healing of the external suture
Immediately after application, the seam has a pinkish or reddish tint. Moreover, the patient often really wants to scratch him, which can not be done in any case. Then, as the damaged tissues are regenerated, the suture is compacted after appendicitis surgery. In the place of the formed scar, the sensitivity of the skin is significantly reduced.
Over time, the swelling of the suture (pronounced in the first days) and its redness decrease. In this case, itching may intensify. Gradually, the outer scar brightens and becomes yellow (or brown) in color, slightly rising above the surface of the skin.
On a note! The healing rate is largely dependent on subcutaneous fat accumulation. The more obese a person is, the more time it will take to restore external skin tissue.
Naturally, at the first time after the removal of appendicitis, the suture hurts. And this is understandably caused to the body by "mechanical damage." However, the ongoing pain syndrome for a considerable time may indicate undesirable inflammatory processes. This should be immediately reported to the attending physician.
Possible complications
If in the process of healing from the wound of the suture discharge begins to appear (bloody, watery or purulent), then you must urgently consult a surgeon. This may be a symptom of incomplete resorption of internal seams or their divergence. Depending on the nature of the complication, the doctor prescribes special therapeutic procedures (sometimes with a partial opening of the external suture and the installation of a drainage catheter). In this case, a set of local antibacterial measures is carried out up to the complete cleansing and healing of the surgical wound.
Features of nutrition in the postoperative period
In the first few days after surgery, it is necessary to refrain from foods that can cause bloating, which can have a very negative effect on the healing of the suture after appendicitis. These include cabbage, vegetable salads, bread, fatty dairy products, juices. It is best to eat hospital food. And although these dishes may seem tasteless and fresh, you can be sure of a balanced diet. You will not be offered anything contraindicated in a hospital.
About a home diet, it is best to consult with a specialist before being discharged from the hospital and treat his recommendations with due responsibility. As a rule, the duration of the postoperative diet does not exceed 2 months.
Important! In the period of postoperative recovery, it is necessary to monitor the regularity of the stool. In case of violation of the frequency of bowel movements, you should consult a specialist for advice on choosing the most preferred laxatives.
Suture care at home
How and how to handle the postoperative suture at home? First of all, you need to carefully listen to (and even better write down) all the recommendations of specialists and strictly adhere to them.
Within two to three weeks after discharge from the hospital, doctors do not recommend taking warm baths. For personal hygiene, a shower of a comfortable temperature is best suited, after which the seam is treated with brilliant green and weak solutions of iodine or potassium permanganate.
The use of special ointments, gels and sprays (Panthenol, Levomekol, Bepanten, Solkoseril, Kontratubeks, products based on sea buckthorn and milk thistle oils) helps to increase the efficiency and speed up the healing and resorption of the suture from appendicitis. However, you can use the listed drugs only after appropriate consultation with a specialist.
Physical activity during postoperative recovery should be increased gradually. Naturally, in the first two months you should not lift heavy objects. But walking will be very useful. Excessive enthusiasm for bed rest can lead to joint adhesions with all the ensuing consequences. After consulting with your doctor, you can perform a set of strengthening physical exercises.
Features of the female body
Due to the specific physiological structure of the body, the symptoms of appendicitis in women can be relieved by painful sensations during inflammation of the appendages (fallopian tubes or ovaries). Naturally, in the first place, the fair sex turns to a gynecologist. However, after stopping this inflammatory pathology, an adhesion process may develop in the pelvis, capturing the appendix itself. These negative consequences sometimes lead to the appearance of acute appendicitis. In this case, it is urgent to contact a surgeon and undergo all necessary examinations.
How to make a seam invisible
Even with proper care of the postoperative suture, it can remain quite noticeable and cause a certain aesthetic discomfort. In order to make the scar less noticeable, you can apply:
- Chemical peeling, with the help of which a layer of damaged connective tissues is removed, and in their place new healthy and subtle skin integuments are formed.
- Laser correction (which is also sometimes called resurfacing), which helps rejuvenate the skin and brighten the scar. According to dermatologists, the seam visibility is reduced by 95%. However, it must be remembered that you can resort to such a procedure no earlier than six months after the operation.
- Injections of special cosmetic preparations that are prescribed and performed only by a qualified specialist.
- Cryotherapy (as a result of exposure to liquid nitrogen, pathological suture tissues die off).
Finally
Regardless of how rapidly the pain in the abdomen has appeared (and not necessarily only on the right), it is urgent to contact a medical institution. Timely diagnostics, as well as prompt removal of the inflamed appendix, will help to avoid serious complications. Time in the treatment of appendicitis (as, incidentally, other acute inflammatory pathologies) often plays a decisive role in the success of the fight against this disease.