When appendicitis is left untreated, bacteria and pus begin to build up in the appendix and cause it to swell. Ultimately, the wall of the appendix is compromised, allowing the pus and other bacteria to ooze out into the abdominal cavity. Though it is not an explosive event, this is referred to as bursting or rupturing of the appendix. As the infection spreads throughout the abdomen, patients often experience worsening symptoms, including high fever and severe pain. Most cases of a ruptured appendix occur about 48 — 72 hours after the onset of symptoms.
A ruptured appendix is always considered an emergency and requires immediate treatment. After all, appendicitis inflammation of the appendix is the most common reason behind emergency abdominal surgery in the U. Keep reading to learn exactly how to know if your appendix burst.
Before we can talk about a ruptured appendix, we have to talk about what precedes it: appendicitis. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix—the finger-shaped pouch that sits in the lower right section of your abdomen—becomes inflamed. This is usually due to a blockage inside your appendix that causes it to swell up and get infected, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , here are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis to look out for:.
Ruptures or perforated appendixes happen in a minority of appendicitis cases, Diya Alaedeen, M. At that point, the appendix walls get holes in them that release things like stool and mucus.
Following laparotomy, people must restrict their physical activity for the first 10—14 days. After laparoscopic surgery, people need to limit activity for 3—5 days.
To limit complications of appendicitis, the surgeon will remove the appendix and clean the inside of the abdomen to prevent infection. Without proper treatment, a person can develop peritonitis, which is an inflammation of the peritoneum, or lining of the abdomen. Peritonitis can cause death.
Appendectomy is usually a safe procedure. An older study suggests that the mortality rate for unruptured appendicitis is 0. After the appendix bursts, the mortality rate for an appendectomy is 5. Delaying surgery may increase the risk of complications. However, complications after surgery that takes place quickly are usually rare. Although doctors have not found ways to prevent appendicitis, people should speak to a doctor as soon as possible if they suspect they have appendicitis.
Prompt medical attention for acute appendicitis, and early surgery, can prevent the appendix from bursting. In some situations, the surgeon may find an appendix that seems normal in a person with appendicitis. The doctor will likely still remove the appendix. Removing an appendix that appears normal eliminates the possibility of appendicitis, and it bursting in the future. Unexplained nausea, vomiting, and pain on the right side of the body that worsens over time require medical attention.
People with symptoms of lower right side abdominal pain, nausea, and fever should consult a doctor immediately. A doctor will perform a physical examination and may order blood tests and imaging to confirm the diagnosis of appendicitis. The usual treatment for appendicitis, with or without a burst appendix, is surgery.
The surgeon will remove the appendix to prevent it from bursting and clean up any debris in the abdomen. With inappropriate treatment, people may develop complications from an appendectomy, such as abscess and infections, which can cause severe complications.
We look at a number of different causes of pain, ranging in severity, in the lower right abdomen. We also examine when treatment is required. This condition is called peritonitis. The symptoms will be similar to those for appendicitis, except:. When this is successful, it forms an abscess. This is a closed off collection of bacteria and pus. Symptoms of an abscess are also similar to those for appendicitis, except:.
When left untreated, the bacteria from a ruptured appendix can get into your bloodstream, causing a serious condition called sepsis. This is inflammation that occurs throughout your entire body.
Some of the symptoms of sepsis are:. The treatment for a ruptured appendix is removal of your appendix through surgery. Peritonitis is treated by cleaning the abdominal cavity during surgery to remove bacteria. You may need to use antibiotics for several weeks to be sure the infection is gone. Often, your appendix will be removed immediately.
This is done by inserting a tube into the abscess and letting the fluid-containing bacteria and pus drain out. This can take several weeks, so you might be sent home with the drain in place as well as antibiotics.
When the abscess is drained and the infection and inflammation are controlled, your doctor will perform the surgery. The first several doses will be given through your veins at the hospital. You typically take antibiotics for up to two to four weeks, depending on how bad the peritonitis or abscess was.
Open surgery instead of laparoscopic is almost always used for a ruptured appendix. This is so your doctor can be sure that all of the infection has been cleaned out of the abdominal cavity.
It can take four to six weeks to fully recover from surgery. For a few days after surgery or after a drain is placed, you may be given strong prescription pain medication.
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