Appendicitis classification

Appendicitis Microchapters
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Charmaine Patel, M.D. [2]

Overview

Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It can be classified into several subtypes based on perforation and the type of obstruction.

Classification

Based on Type of Obstruction

• Infectious processes
• Fibrosis - such as due to scar tissue from a previous surgery
• Fecaliths - hard fecal masses
• Neoplasia - carcinoid, adenocarcinoma, or mucocele
• Parasites - in endemic areas
• Calculi
• Lymphoid hyperplasia

Based on Perforation

• Perforating - increases in incidence with age and is associated with the following types of bacterial infiltration:
  • Escherichia coli
  • Peptostreptococcus
  • Bacteroides fragilis
  • Pseudomonas species
• Non-perforating