Appendix and Appendicitis Forum - Acute appendicitis & gangrene of the appendix

Conditions and Diseases > Appendix and Appendicitis Forum > Acute appendicitis & gangrene of the appendix

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Q: Acute appendicitis & gangrene of the appendix

asked by: DoctorQuestion on June 28th, 2007

I had my appendix taken out 10 days ago. I went in for the follow up visit with the surgeon on friday and he said it was gangrene. It did not rupture. I am a 35 year old female in excellent health- only prior operations were c-sections and tonsils. I never get sick! Telling me it was gangrene really bothered me. The doctor said pretty much the cause was just bad luck. I asked if anything else was gangrene that he noticed and he said no. I asked something else could be and he said I would be in a lot of pain if there was. Truthfully, I wasn't even in that much appendix pain -- so I must tolerate pain well. I am in such shock that I had something gangrene inside of me! So my questions are this:

how long does it take for something to become gangrene?

Should I follow up with more internal tests to make sure I have nothing else in there that is gangrene?

I was only in pain for a day prior to the surgery. If something else is gangrene will I only know at the very last minute? Or is there something I can do now?

Thanks for your help.

Replies(2)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on August 8th, 2007

Appendix, Appendicitis, Gallbladder Disease Answer A3054

Acute appendicitis often can be very a severe inflammation that progresses to gangrene of the appendix. Appendix gangrene is a very severe acute inflammation that is caused by necrosis of the appendix. Gangrene usually develops very quickly and a surgeon must act fast. Further, appendix rupture is a serious complication that usually follows appendix gangrene. Good for you that your appendix was removed on time because an appendix’s rupture is a serious complication that could be life threatening.

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