Appendix is a vestigial organ attached to caecum which is first part of the large intestine. The function of appendix no longer exists.

It’s commonest cause of pain in right side of the abdomen. Infection of appendix is called as appendicitis. It mostly presents as acute appendicitis with pain, fever and vomiting.

Confirmation is done by ultrasound of abdomen and in few cases may need CT scan.

80 percent of patients will need appendix removal during acute attack, which can be done as open appendix removal or laparoscopic appendix removal. The surgical procedure remains the same except in laparoscopic surgery there are small holes and formal incision around 5 cm is required for open appendix removal. The recovery is fast if surgery is done in first 48 hours after attack as if it is delayed then some patient may develop an abscess around appendix. Few patient with mild form of appendix infection may be treated by only antibiotics.