Appendicitis in Cancún

The typical picture starts with pain around the navel that over a few hours moves to the lower right abdomen and worsens when walking, coughing or pressing the area. It is often accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting and a low fever.

Not every case is typical, especially in children, pregnant women and older adults. Abdominal pain that worsens over hours should be seen by a doctor that same day.

• Go to the hospital emergency department. Examination, laboratory tests and, when needed, an ultrasound or CT are done there.
• Do not eat or drink while the decision is made, in case surgery is needed that same day.
• If you have health insurance, say so on arrival: the emergency paperwork starts at the hospital. What is covered depends on your policy.

Appendicitis is treated by removing the appendix. When the case allows, I do it laparoscopically, through three small incisions under general anesthesia. If findings require it (perforation, an abscess or difficult anatomy), it is completed open. The decision is made in hospital and explained beforehand.

The stay depends on what is found: an unperforated appendix usually means a short stay; if it was perforated, the stay is longer and antibiotics are completed. Discharge, diet and return to activity are given in writing at the hospital and reviewed at follow-up.