Can your appendix be in a different place?
The tip of the appendix may be located in various areas of the abdominal cavity due to its variable length and/or the changeable position of the caecum. Although in the case of an atypical position the tip is usually located behind the caecum, there are possible locations that occur very rarely.
What does it mean when your appendix is Retrocecal?
If the appendix is retrocecal (localized behind the cecum), even deep pressure in the right lower quadrant may fail to elicit tenderness (silent appendix). This is because the cecum, distended with gas, protects the inflamed appendix from pressure.
What is pelvic appendicitis?
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a closed tube of tissue attached to the large intestine in the lower right abdomen. Inflammation may occur when the appendix becomes infected or blocked with stool, foreign objects or a tumor.
Why does the appendix vary in position?
Its length varies from 2 to 20 cm, in average 9 cm [2]. The base of appendix is connected to the cecum, but its head can be placed in different situations. Some studies have shown that age, race, sex, geographic region, and diet can affect the position of appendix [3].
What are the chances of dying during appendix surgery?
The mortality rate was 0.7% (20/3095) for appendectomy without peritonitis specified, 4.0% (35/878) for appendectomy with generalized peritonitis, 3.6% (2/55) for drainage of periappendiceal abscess, and 12.6% (17/135) for colectomy/cecectomy.
How common is Retrocecal appendix?
Retrocecal appendices are found in 20 to 65 percent of anatomic dissections, according to autopsy studies by Collins [I-3], Wakeley [4] and DeGaris [5]. It is considered by many to be the most common location of the appendix.
Is appendix pain in the pelvis?
Appendicitis. Inflammation or infection of the appendix (appendicitis) often produces lower right-sided pelvic or abdominal pain that may occur along with nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Is appendix A pelvis?
When the tip of the appendix is in the deep pelvis, it is adjacent to the right adnexa or in the cul-de-sac. 8 A deep pelvis appendix will be posterior to the uterus, rectum, or ovaries. The first helpful landmark in identifying a normally positioned appendix is the cecum.