Appendicitis is the name of a condition that refers to the inflammation of the appendix (a narrow tube that attaches to the colon). It is a medical emergency, requiring removal of the inflamed appendix by either laparotomy or laparoscopy.

The typical symptoms include severe acute abdominal pain, loss of appetite and fever, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. Atypical symptoms can include pain starting in the right-inferior of the surface of the abdomen, plus diarrhea and sometimes frequency of urination.

Once a person is diagnosed with appendicitis, an  appendectomy, or surgical removal of the appendix is performed. This is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in America today.

The older method of appendectomy is called laparotomy, in which the appendix is removed through a single incision in the lower right abdomen. The newer method is called laparoscopic surgery and uses several small incisions with special surgical tools to remove the appendix. This procedure leads to fewer complications.

Full recovery from an appendectomy takes roughly 4-6 weeks. During this time, it is advised to avoid moving a lot or exercising.