How serious is an abscess on the appendix?

Possibly life-threatening, this condition requires immediate surgery to remove the appendix and clean your abdominal cavity. A pocket of pus that forms in the abdomen. If your appendix bursts, you may develop a pocket of infection (abscess).

How long does it take to drain an appendix abscess?

This procedure is usually completed in 20 minutes to an hour. Once in place, the catheter is connected to a drainage bag outside of your body. The catheter will remain in place until the fluid has stopped draining and your infection is gone. It may take several days to drain the abscess.

How is an abscessed appendix treated?

Abscesses can sometimes be treated using antibiotics, but in most cases the pus needs to be drained from the abscess. This can be carried out under ultrasound or CT guidance. You’ll be given a local anaesthetic and a needle will be inserted through your skin, followed by the placement of a drain.

What is an appendiceal abscess?

An appendiceal abscess is a condition in which an abscess is formed around the appendix as a result of appendiceal perforation or extension of inflammation to the adjacent tissues due to aggravation of appendicitis. It occurs in 2-6% of patients with appendicitis [2].

What is the recovery period for a ruptured appendix?

Recovery of a patient with ruptured appendix is comparatively slower. The hospital stay is about 4 days or more depending on the level of complications. A drain is left in place until the pus stops coming out.

What are the complications of appendicitis?

The complications of appendicitis include a ruptured appendix, death, peritonitis, organ failure, and abscess. When the appendix ruptures, it tears or bursts.

What is appendicular abscess?

An appendicular abscess is a collection of pus resulting from perforation or rupture of acutely inflamed appendix. The pus remains localized close to the appendix, because it is walled off by adhesions formed by the surrounding abdominal structures.

What is an appendix abscess?

Posted by. An appendicular abscess (abscess in the appendix) is a complication of acute appendicitis – invasion of the appendix of the large intestine by bacteria usually due to an obstruction.