Complications | Pain in the appendix

Complications

A complication is the rupture of the appendix. This initially causes a sudden reduction in pain, as the accumulated pus can drain into the abdominal cavity. After a while, the pain increases again, usually worse than before. The discharge of stool and bacteria from the intestine into the abdominal cavity leads to inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis). Characteristic features are a stomach as hard as a board, increasing lethargy and fever.

Where is the appendix?

The appendix lies in the right lower abdomen. It is part of the colon, more precisely the initial part of the colon. As the name suggests, it ends blind at one end, the other part merges into the ascending colon.

At the blind end the appendix opens. There are different positions – ascending behind or descending in front of the appendix (caecum). There are two pressure points which can be used to determine the position of the appendix.

The Lanz point lies on an imaginary line between the two front pelvic bones in the right third (descending position). The McBurney point is halfway between the right front pelvic bones and the navel (ascending position).