Appendicitis

The symptoms are of a vague colicky abdominal pain around the umbilicus that with time moves to lower down on the right (right iliac fossa).  This may be associated with anorexia, diarrhoea, urinary tract symptoms and low-grade fever.

If appendicitis is suspected, the best treatment, in most cases, is removal of the appendix (appendicectomy).  In uncomplicated cases, the patient makes a quick and uneventful recovery.  In the vast majority of cases, the patient is left with a small scar on the lower right side of the abdomen.

I have a particular interest in appendicitis and its treatment, including the control of pain following appendicectomy.  I have modified my surgical technique to minimise the size of the incision and my team follow a strict protocol for pain relief to help speed recovery.