Appendicitis Pain
Dr. Crouch, emergency and general surgeon, discusses appendicitis.
What is the function of the appendix?
The appendix has a function, which is to make mucus that has immunological substances in it. However, it doesn't have function that's not duplicated elsewhere in the body. So, the appendix can be removed safely, and we don't need it.
How does appendicitis happen?
When the appendix, which is a little blind ended pouch becomes obstructed, it begins to swell and become tender, and you start developing appendicitis.
What is the standard of care for treating appendicitis?
The standard of care for appendicitis is to remove the appendix and do an appendectomy. We can almost always do that minimally invasively through three small incisions, and we don't require big incisions.