Appendicitis cannot be prevented, but it can be treated. In instances where appendicitis is treated early, patients are given fluids intravenously prior to surgery in order to prevent dehydration and maintain normal electrolyte levels. Antibiotics may also be given to slow the spread of infection. Rarely, the body is successful in containing the appendicitis without surgical treatment if the infection and inflammation do not spread to other parts of the abdominal area. Patients should seek evaluation and treatment immediately if they suspect that they may have appendicitis.

Conversely, patients who seek medical attention within the first 24 to 72 hours after painful symptoms appear typically undergo immediate appendectomy. This procedure is the standard treatment for appendicitis and involves removal of the appendix through traditional open surgery or laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery requires just a few small incisions into the abdomen. A thin tube called a laparoscope is inserted into one of the incisions through a hollow instrument called a cannula. The laparoscope has an attached camera and light that provide a magnified view of the interior of the abdomen. A surgeon watches the image on a monitor and inserts instruments into the other incisions to remove the appendix with minimum scarring.

However, traditional surgery will likely be necessary if the appendix has ruptured or an abscess is present. A larger incision is necessary in traditional surgery, during which the surgeon may wash out the abdomen with fluid. Temporary drains may be necessary. Traditional surgery usually requires intravenous (I.V.) antibiotics, a hospital stay and a longer recovery period (two to three days on average) than laparoscopic surgery (less than one day).

In a small minority of cases, the surgeon may discover during the procedure that the appendix is in fact normal and healthy. In such cases, the appendix may still be removed to prevent any future episodes of appendicitis, and the surgeon will likely look for other potential abdominal causes of the patient’s symptoms.

Antibiotic therapy may be administered immediately following surgery to reduce the chance of infection. Patients who have traditional surgery may have to limit strenuous activity for four to six weeks following the procedure. Recovery time is usually shorter for those who have laparoscopic surgery. Most patients make a quick and full recovery and do not require any alterations to lifestyle or diet.

In rare cases, people who have undergone an appendectomy can experience “stump appendicitis,” inflammation of the tiny part of the appendix that remains after surgery. In such cases, a second surgery may be needed to remove the remainder of the appendix. Leaving a stump less than 3 millimeters long in the original surgery may prevent stump appendicitis.