For a seemingly useless appendage that is only between 2 and 20 cm in length, the appendix can cause a great deal of pain and suffering. That said, the incidence of acute appendicitis is decreasing in adults in the U.S., with only an average of 680,000 cases per year. However, for those who suffer an appendicitis attack, the pain and complications can be serious.
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. The treatment for appendicitis varies, depending on the severity of the attack:
- Mild cases may be treated with antibiotics
- Most patients require an appendectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the appendix.
- Some patients may only need a less invasive laparoscopy, requiring less recovery time with less pain.
However, if there are complications, such as inflammation of the entire abdomen, perforation of the appendix, sepsis (an inflammation of the whole body), or an abscess, the disease and the procedure are more dangerous and sometimes even deadly.
It is extremely difficult to provide a 100% confirmation that a patient is suffering from appendicitis, in part because a number of diseases present with similar symptoms and results from the common tests for appendicitis, which include:
- Pain and tenderness in the lower right abdomen
- Blood tests
- Urinalysis
- Abdominal X-ray
- Ultrasound
- Barium enema
- CT scan, for patients who are not pregnant
- Laparoscopy, which allows the surgeon to immediately remove the appendix if appropriate
How The Procedure is Done
In most instances, a surgeon follows these general procedures when performing an appendectomy:
- Administers a general anaesthetic
- Makes a 2-3 inch incision through the skin and abdominal wall
- Locates and, if appropriate, cuts the appendix away from the colon
- Drains any abscesses that are found
- Closes the incision and the patient is kept in the hospital between one and seven days, depending on the severity of their condition
Risks
Though an appendectomy is a common procedure, it is still invasive, requiring a general anaesthetic. There are a number of risks always present in such surgery, as well as some that are unique to appendectomies:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Abscesses in the abdomen
- Hernia around the incision
- Leakage from the colon, leading to a colostomy
In addition, because appendicitis is so difficult to diagnose, there is the risk of a missed diagnosis, leading to perforation or abscess, as well as the risk of unnecessary surgery when no inflammation of the appendix is actually found.
Opportunity for Negligence and Injury
If a physician misses the diagnosis and a patient is harmed or dies from a ruptured appendix, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. In addition, if a surgeon performs unnecessary surgery, removing a healthy appendix, and the patient is injured, they may be guilty of medical malpractice.
Medical Negligence and Malpractice Suits
Any other complications that occur and harm a patient may be the result of negligence on the part of a physician or their medical team. If a physician or medical professional at any level did not meet accepted standards of practice in their treatment, victims have the right to file a lawsuit and receive compensation. However, to win such a case, they are required to obtain a certificate of merit from a medical expert confirming that negligence.
When to Consult an Attorney
Medical malpractice lawsuits are stressful and complex cases that can be difficult for a victim or their family. Experienced medical malpractice attorneys can relieve that stress, conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation of the facts, and compile the most effective case to receive the settlement or judgment a victim deserves.
