Acute appendicitis is considered to be the most common cause of abdominal pain and distress in children and teenagers worldwide (ages 4-15). According to its seriousness and rate of development, appendicitis can be either acute or chronic. Acute appendicitis develops very fast and in most cases it requires immediate surgical intervention. Chronic appendicitis is rare, develops slower and has less pronounced symptoms. Acute appendicitis can become severe if it is not discovered and treated in time.
Acute appendicitis refers to complete obstruction of the vermiform appendix. Bacterial infections are also a cause of acute appendicitis. The appendix is a tubular extension of the large intestine and its function is thought to be related with the process of digestion. When the appendix is blocked by calculus and feces or it is squeezed by the lymph nodes (due to bacterial infection, the lymph nodes usually become swollen and press against the appendix), it swells and usually doesnt receive enough blood. Bacteria grow inside the appendix, eventually causing its death. In acute appendicitis, the inflammation of the appendix is serious and can lead to complications (perforation,...