Appendicitis is an acute condition that requires urgent attention. If you experience persistent pain in the lower right abdomen (or in the upper abdomen for pregnant women) and symptoms don’t improve, the best course of action is to seek medical care immediately. While appendicitis may initially seem manageable, delaying treatment can result in serious complications—and even death.
A Burst Appendix Can Occur Within 48–72 Hours
This highlights just how critical it is not to ignore the signs, as there is only a small window to intervene before the appendix ruptures. A burst appendix is more dangerous than many people realize. If the inflamed appendix is not removed in time, bacteria inside can spread throughout the body, potentially leading to fatal infections in a short period.
How to Manage a Burst Appendix
If detected early, before rupture, doctors can opt for minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. This procedure involves only small incisions, results in faster recovery, and typically allows patients to return home the same day with minimal risk of infection spreading to other organs.
However, if the patient arrives at the hospital after the appendix has already ruptured, the only option is open abdominal surgery. In this case, the doctor must:
- Remove the ruptured appendix immediately
- Thoroughly clean the abdominal cavity
- Insert drainage tubes to remove pus and fluid caused by infection
After surgery, the patient will usually need to stay in the hospital for about a week for observation, to ensure the infection has not spread and that there are no post-operative complications.
Complications After a Burst Appendix
If caught in time, a ruptured appendix can be treated successfully. However, if diagnosis is delayed, the infection can spread and lead to dangerous complications, such as:
1. Peritonitis (Inflammation of the Abdominal Lining)
This occurs when infection spreads to the peritoneum, the tissue lining the abdominal cavity. Patients typically experience severe abdominal pain that doesn’t improve until surgical removal of the ruptured appendix. In severe cases, peritonitis can be fatal if not treated promptly.
2. Abscess Formation
Some patients may develop an abscess—a pocket of pus inside the abdomen—as the body attempts to contain the infection. After surgery, doctors may need to drain the abscess using a catheter. It often takes at least two weeks or more for the infection to fully resolve.
