What are the complications of appendicitis?

What are the complications of appendicitis?

If it isn’t treated, a diseased appendix can rupture. A burst appendix can cause an infection that can lead to serious illness and even death. Complications include:

• Abscess: You may develop an appendicular abscess, or a pocket of infectious pus. Your healthcare provider will place drainage tubes in your abdomen. These tubes remove fluid from the abscess before surgery. The drainage process may take a week or longer. During this time, you take antibiotics to fight infection. After the abscess is gone, you’ll have surgery to remove the appendix.
• Abdominal infection: Peritonitis can be life-threatening if infection spreads throughout the abdomen. Abdominal surgery (laparotomy) removes the ruptured appendix and treats the infection.
• Sepsis: Bacteria from a ruptured appendix can get into your bloodstream. If it does, it can cause a serious condition called sepsis. Sepsis causes widespread inflammation in many of your organs. It can be fatal. It requires hospital treatment with strong antibiotics.