Case Study- MED121

Jordan Chapman
April 15, 2020

John Doe, age 50, suffers from the condition of ​Appendicitis​. Appendicitis is the
condition of inflammation of the ​appendix​. The appendix projects downward from the ​cecum​ in
the ​large intestine​. The shape of the appendix is small, wormlike, and has no apparent function,
but can come inflamed, such as in John Doe’s case, and results from obstruction or infection
caused by a fecalith, foreign body, or bacteria. Everything connecting below the appendix such
as the ​ascending colon​, ​hepatic flexure​, and ​transverse colon​, will remain in the same condition
both before and after surgery. Doe has come in today in a great deal of pain, almost unbearable
as he describes it and it is specifically painful in the lower right quadrant at McBurney point. This
along with the sudden and spontaneous relief of the pain proves that the appendix is indeed
ruptured. The longer Doe was in our office, the more symptoms decided to arise such as a fever
and diarrhea out of the ​rectal cavity. ​The treatment best suited for John Doe’s case was a
laparoscopic​ ​appendectomy​, which is simply a minimally invasive appendectomy to remove a
diseased appendix. The surgery took place exactly 48 hours of the first symptoms that Doe
began to feel. Unfortunately for him as mentioned above, the appendix ruptured anyway
resulting in ​peritonitis​ as fecal matter being released into the ​peritoneal cavity​.Post
operation, the team and I decided to keep Doe overnight just to keep an eye out for any
decline in health. John Doe made it through the night with little to no complications, so
he is on his way back home. It is advised that Doe takes in easy for the next couple
weeks, getting large amounts of rest. After roughly 2-4 weeks Doe will be able to
resume all prior engagements and activities as normal.