Can chronic appendicitis be treated with minimally invasive surgery?

Oct 30, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Wang Lei

Introduction

In general, whether minimally invasive surgery is appropriate for chronic appendicitis depends on the individual patient's specific condition. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical consultation is recommended. Prior to considering minimally invasive surgery, relevant examinations should be completed to determine the severity of the condition and the patient's physical tolerance. Postoperatively, patients should follow medical advice for proper care, engage in appropriate early activity to promote gastrointestinal function recovery, and maintain wound cleanliness to prevent infection.

In general, whether minimally invasive surgery is suitable for chronic appendicitis depends on the individual patient's specific condition. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If episodes of chronic appendicitis are infrequent and symptoms are mild, the patient has no severe underlying diseases, and imaging examinations show no significant adhesions or anatomical abnormalities of the appendix, minimally invasive surgery is usually feasible. Minimally invasive surgery involves less trauma, allows faster postoperative recovery, effectively removes the diseased appendix, reduces the likelihood of postoperative complications, and has minimal impact on the patient’s daily life.

However, if chronic appendicitis frequently recurs with severe symptoms, if the patient has serious underlying conditions that make surgery intolerable, or if imaging reveals severe adhesions between the appendix and surrounding tissues or abnormal anatomical positioning, minimally invasive surgery may not be appropriate. Severe adhesions increase the technical difficulty of minimally invasive procedures and may lead to intraoperative injury to surrounding organs; underlying medical conditions can significantly increase surgical risks. In such cases, physicians must reassess the situation and choose a more suitable treatment approach.

Prior to considering minimally invasive surgery, comprehensive evaluations should be completed to determine the severity of the disease and the patient’s physical tolerance. After surgery, patients should follow medical advice for proper care, engage in early appropriate activity to promote gastrointestinal recovery, and maintain wound cleanliness to prevent infection. If any abnormalities occur after surgery—such as worsening abdominal pain, fever, or wound discharge—patients should immediately inform their doctor for timely management. In daily life, a light diet is recommended, avoiding overeating to reduce the risk of recurrent appendicitis.

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What should one eat for meals with chronic appendicitis?

Patients with chronic appendicitis should consume light, easily digestible staple foods, low-fat high-quality protein sources, vegetables rich in dietary fiber, mild fruits, and soft, easily absorbed soups and broths. Proper dietary adjustments can help reduce intestinal burden. If symptoms such as worsening abdominal pain or fever indicating acute exacerbation occur, immediate medical consultation at the general surgery department of a hospital is necessary.

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Can patients with appendicitis eat persimmons?

Under normal circumstances, whether patients with appendicitis can eat persimmons should be determined based on their specific medical condition. If the patient is in a stable phase of chronic appendicitis, without symptoms such as acute abdominal pain, fever, nausea, or vomiting, and gastrointestinal function is normal, a small amount of persimmon may be consumed. However, it is important to select fully ripe persimmons, remove the skin, and consume only a small quantity, avoiding eating them on an empty stomach.