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Appendicitis Surgery and Screening in Singapore

Pain starting near the navel and shifting to the lower right abdomen is a common sign of acute appendicitis.

 

Prompt medical evaluation by a certified medical practitioner in Singapore is essential to prevent complications, such as perforation and infection.

Dr Thng Yongxian

Appendix Specialist
Dual Fellowship-Trained Surgeon
MBBS • MMed • MRCS (IRE) • FRCSED • FAMS

24/7 Emergency Contact

What is Appendicitis?

Acute appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. This is often due to a blockage that allows bacteria to multiply, leading to infection and swelling.

 

The condition typically starts with vague pain around the navel, which gradually shifts to sharp, localised pain in the lower right abdomen as inflammation worsens.

 

If untreated, the appendix can rupture, usually within 24 to 72 hours after symptoms begin. This increases the risk of peritonitis—a severe infection of the abdominal cavity.

CONSULT DR THNG YONGXIAN

Risk Factors and Symptoms of Appendicitis

Risk Factors

Blocked Appendix Opening

The appendix can become blocked by hardened stool (fecaliths), enlarged lymph tissue, or, in rare cases, tumours, leading to inflammation and bacterial overgrowth.

Genetics

A family history of appendicitis may increase the risk, though it is not strictly hereditary.

Age

Appendicitis is most common between ages 10 and 30, but it can occur at any age.

Gender

Males have a slightly higher risk of developing appendicitis than females.

Gastrointestinal Infection

Some infections affecting the digestive tract may contribute to appendix inflammation, though the link is not fully established.

Potential Symptoms

Abdominal Pain and Tenderness

Pain typically starts near the navel before moving to the lower right abdomen, gradually intensifying from dull to sharp and persistent. The pain may also originate in the lower right abdomen.

 

Individuals may also experience pain during movements like coughing, walking, or sneezing.

Nausea and Vomiting

Many patients experience nausea, sometimes followed by vomiting. This typically occurs after the onset of abdominal pain.​

Loss of Appetite

A sudden lack of interest in food is a common symptom and it often accompanies discomfort or nausea.

Bowel Changes

Some individuals may experience changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation, though these are less common symptoms.

Mild Fever

A low-grade fever (37.5°C to 38°C) may occur due to inflammation, while a higher fever may suggest possible complications.

Bloating

Stomach bloating and excessive farting due to intestinal gas may also be a sign of appendicitis.

When to Seek Treatment for Appendicitis?

If you experience symptoms of appendicitis, it is crucial to seek medical advice immediately. Early evaluation and treatment can prevent serious complications, including a ruptured appendix and potentially life-threatening infections.

 

Our specialist in Singapore is available at all times for advice and treatment.

CONTACT US: 9838 5827

How is Appendicitis Diagnosed?

Physical Examination

As part of diagnosing appendicitis, your doctor checks for abdominal tenderness and rebound pain. They may also check for signs like the Rovsing sign, in which left-side pressure causes right-side pain.

Blood Tests

Elevated white blood cell levels indicate infection, while other markers assess inflammation severity.

Imaging Tests

CT scans provide 98% diagnostic accuracy, while ultrasounds are useful for children and pregnant women.

Urine Analysis

This test helps to rule out urinary tract infections and kidney stones, which have similar symptoms to appendicitis.

What is the treatment for appendicitis?

As the condition does not resolve on its own, the standard care for acute appendicitis is surgery (appendectomy). Removing the inflamed appendix prevents rupture and life-threatening complications.

 

An appendectomy is a common and safe procedure that can be performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive) or through open surgery, depending on severity. Antibiotics may be given before surgery to manage infection.

 

If the appendix has ruptured, the procedure may also involve draining abscesses and cleaning the abdominal cavity.

 

There are two main types of appendectomy in Singapore:

Open Appendectomy

  • How It Works: A single incision is made in the lower right abdomen to remove the appendix, followed by a straightforward closure.
  • Recovery: Healing takes longer than laparoscopic surgery, with a slightly higher risk of infection. Open surgery is usually for ruptured appendicitis or when laparoscopy isn’t suitable.

Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Appendectomy

  • How It Works: Small incisions are made. A laparoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) and specialised instruments are used to remove the appendix.
  • Recovery: Patients typically recover faster, experience less postoperative pain, and have minimal scarring compared to open surgery.

Adjusting and Recovering from an Appendectomy

Following an appendectomy in Singapore, patients may experience mild soreness and discomfort around the incision site or within the abdominal area. While it usually subsides with recovery, it can be managed with medication. 

 

Additionally, fatigue, incision tenderness and itching, and bowel changes may occur after the procedure. As such, patients will typically be advised to keep the surgical site clean, consume a high-fibre diet, and hydrate well to aid recovery. 

 

However, patients can generally resume normal activities within two to four weeks after surgery. As such, appendectomies are generally considered safe and effective procedures with no significant long-term consequences.

If you think you may have appendicitis, seek prompt care from our specialist in Singapore.

CONTACT US: 9838 5827
Dr Thng Yongxian

Dr Thng Yongxian

Senior Consultant

HEPATOPANCREATOBILIARY & GENERAL SURGEON

MBBS (SG) • MMed (Surg) • MRCS (Ire) • FRCSEd (Gen) • FAMS (Surg)

Dr Thng Yongxian is a dual fellowship-trained hepatobiliary surgeon in Singapore who has performed over 6000 surgical procedures.

  • Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery
  • National University of Singapore
  • Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland
  • Master of Medicine, General Surgery, Singapore
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
  • Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore

He pursued his subspecialty training in Hepatopancreatobiliary surgery first in the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Singapore General Hospital. Following this, he completed a clinical fellowship in Minimally Invasive Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital in Bundang, South Korea.

 

Dr Thng set up and pioneered the Minimally Invasive surgery programme for his hospital in complex liver and pancreas cases. His surgeries were featured on live national television, while his surgical videos have been presented at international surgical conferences. He also pioneered the use of capsule colonoscopy for colorectal screening.

 

Dr Thng has served on various committees at hospital, cluster and ministry level. He was a member of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Clinician workgroup for value-driven care (VDC).

CONSULT DR THNG YONGXIAN

Patient Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Appendix Surgery in Singapore

Does appendicitis improve on its own?

While it is possible for appendicitis to resolve on its own if an obstruction clears or an infection causing lymphoid hyperplasia improves, this is not likely. Individuals should never assume it will subside, even if pain momentarily lessens. 

Instead, seek prompt medical evaluation at a hospital or clinic in Singapore if you suspect appendicitis.

In some cases, mild appendicitis may be managed with antibiotics alone, but this is not always a long-term solution. Surgery is still the most effective treatment to prevent complications like rupture and recurrent infections. Your doctor will assess the best approach based on your condition.

Delaying appendicitis surgery may be possible if the appendix has not ruptured. Studies suggest that delaying appendectomy by up to 24 hours in such cases does not significantly increase the risk of complications like perforation. 

However, this decision should always be made under strict medical guidance by a certified medical practitioner in Singapore.

If the appendix bursts and infection spreads in the abdomen, immediate surgery is needed to remove the appendix and clean the abdominal cavity.

If a ruptured appendix leads to an abscess (a pocket of infection), your surgeon will drain the abscess and prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection. The appendectomy will usually be performed after the infection is under control. However, in some cases, the appendix may be removed immediately after the abscess is drained. 

While complications from appendix surgery in Singapore are rare, they are possible. Potential risks include bleeding, wound infection, bowel obstruction, injury to nearby organs, and hernia. Therefore, patients are carefully monitored post-procedure to mitigate these possibilities. 


For example, if a hernia occurs, hernia treatment in Singapore may be administered. 

The appendix cannot regenerate after an appendectomy. However, there is a very small chance of developing ‘stump appendicitis’, where the residual portion of the appendix left after surgery becomes inflamed.

The professional fees for an appendectomy in Singapore generally fall within the range of SGD 4,700 to SGD 7,500 (excluding GST), based on MOH fee benchmarks for surgeon’s fees. This estimate does not include hospital-related costs, such as ward stay, anaesthesia, operating theatre use, or medication.

Actual charges may vary depending on the severity of the condition and whether the procedure is done as an emergency or involves complications. As the surgery is categorised under a Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP) code, it is usually eligible for Medisave use and private insurance claims.

Please get in touch with our clinic for a personalised cost estimate or assistance with financial enquiries.

Yes, as appendicitis surgery has an assigned Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP) code, it is eligible for Medisave and health insurance claims in Singapore.

Our clinic can assist with pre-approvals, claims, and necessary documentation to streamline the process.

For more information, feel free to contact us or check with your insurance provider for detailed guidance.

Get an Accurate Diagnosis and Specialised Treatment for Appendicitis

For appendicitis diagnosis and treatment, make an appointment with one of our clinics in Singapore today.

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Clinic Locations

Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Alvernia

Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Elizabeth Orchard

Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Elizabeth Novena

Nexus Surgical @ Parkway East

Nexus Surgical @ Gleneagles Medical Centre

Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Alvernia

Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Elizabeth Orchard

Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Elizabeth Novena

Nexus Surgical @ Parkway East

Nexus Surgical @ Gleneagles Medical Centre

Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Alvernia

Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Elizabeth Orchard

Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Elizabeth Novena

Nexus Surgical @ Parkway East

Nexus Surgical @ Gleneagles Medical Centre

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