Appendicitis Surgery Singapore: How Long can you Delay it?

Appendicitis occurs when your appendix becomes blocked and inflamed. When this happens, bacteria can build up inside and trigger pain around your belly button.

This pain often shifts to the lower right side. Without treatment, the appendix can swell until it bursts, spraying harmful bacteria into your abdomen and causing peritonitis.

Appendicitis surgery also known as appendicectomy is the usual treatment for this condition and it works by removing the inflamed appendix before it perforates. If you’re recommended an appendicitis surgery in Singapore, your surgeon can perform it in two main ways;

The first way is emergency surgery when symptoms are clear and urgent, or a planned, or interval, appendicectomy after initial treatment with antibiotics. Emergency appendicectomy happens soon after diagnosis.

An interval appendicectomy may follow a period of rest if an abscess has formed. Both methods aim to treat appendicitis symptoms quickly and safely to cut the risk of appendix removal risks such as infection or prolonged hospital stay.

What Happens if you Delay Appendicitis Surgery?

Depending on your own situation, you may think of delaying an appendicitis surgery if it is recommended. However, this isn’t always a good idea as it raises several risks.

The first and most notable risk is that the inflamed appendix can rupture or perforate. When that happens, abdominal fluids and bacteria spill into your belly and cause peritonitis which incidentally is a serious infection of the abdominal lining.

If you get peritonitis, you will most likely need an extended stay in the hospital with strong IV antibiotics and extra monitoring. A burst appendix can also form an abscess.

Just so you know, an abscess is basically a collection of pus that requires drainage. That drain may stay in place for days or weeks, something which can prolong discomfort and recovery.

Surgery may also be more complex after a rupture as the surgeons will need to first clear infection, remove the appendix and drain any abscess. This procedure cannot only take longer but also need a larger incision or multiple operations.

Your risk of complications, like wound infection or bowel obstruction also increases with each delay. What’s more, you may also face higher appendix removal risks like sepsis, which can be life-threatening.

When Do Doctors Allow a Delay Appendicitis Surgery?

While you shouldn’t delay your appendicitis surgery in Singapore, there are instances when your doctors may recommend that you wait. Your doctor may delay your appendicitis surgery if;

• You have Mild or Early Symptoms: If your symptoms are mild and tests show no rupture, doctors may observe you in hospital for 6–12 hours. During this period, they monitor your pain levels, temperature and blood markers. Nurses also check your belly for signs of spreading inflammation. If your condition remains stable, surgery may proceed on a planned schedule.

• Antibiotics Are Used First: In some stable cases, doctors start you on intravenous antibiotics before surgery. This approach can reduce inflammation and pain. It may lower the risk of complications during surgery. Your surgeon decides if you qualify based on your overall health and test results.

• You are Approved for Interval Appendicectomy: If an abscess forms around your appendix, the surgeon may drain it first and delay the appendicectomy by 6–8 weeks. During this time, antibiotics treat the infection, and your body heals. Once inflammation subsides, you return for a planned operation in a calmer setting. This method can reduce appendix removal risks and make recovery smoother.

Warning Signs that you Should not Delay an Appendicitis Surgery?

Now, unless it is in a clear emergency situation, you still must give an informed consent before your provider can perform surgery. This implies, that even if you’re recommended the procedure, the decision to proceed still heavily depends on you.

With that in mind you may wonder; what are the specific warning signs that you shouldn’t delay your appendicitis surgery? Here’s a quick roundup of the signs you shouldn’t delay an appendicitis surgery;

• Sudden or worsening lower-right belly pain: If your pain spikes quickly or moves sharply to the lower right side, it often means the appendix is under pressure or has begun to perforate. You may feel intense, stabbing pain that gets worse with each breath. This sign needs immediate surgery to prevent rupture.
• Fever or chills: A rising temperature or chills can signal infection spreading from your appendix into your abdomen. Doctors view a fever over 38°C (100.4°F) as a red flag in suspected appendicitis. At this point, delaying surgery risks more severe infections and even sepsis.
• Nausea or vomiting: Mild nausea can occur early but persistent vomiting indicates worsening inflammation. You may struggle to keep fluids down, risking dehydration. This symptom suggests your body is reacting to infection and needs immediate surgical care.
• Belly swelling or pain spreading: If your abdomen becomes distended or the pain spreads beyond the lower right quadrant, the infection may have moved into the peritoneal cavity. Swelling can mean fluid and pus accumulating. Swift surgery will be needed to clean the area.
• Pain that gets worse when you move or cough: Guarding behaviour like tensing your abdomen when you cough or walk, shows peritoneal irritation. This indicates inflammation of the abdominal lining. You should head to the nearest clinic or emergency department without delay.

How Appendicitis Surgery is Done

Most cases of appendicitis surgery in Singapore use keyhole, or laparoscopic, surgery. In this approach, your surgeon makes three small cuts in your belly, insert a camera and special tools, then remove the appendix.

This method causes less pain, lower infection risk and quicker recovery than open surgery. You receive general anaesthesia, so you sleep through the procedure.

Surgery is usually quick, often lasting 30–60 minutes. After the procedure, you may stay in hospital for one to two days to ensure no complications arise.

The nurses at the facility will monitor your vitals, manage pain and encourage you to move around gently. You’re probably now wondering; what if you’re afraid of surgery?

Well, it’s fine if you’re feeling anxious about appendicitis surgery. You might worry about pain or the idea of an operation.

However, you do not want to delay surgery as this often only increases the risk and not reduce it because appendicitis rarely resolves on its own. To help you cope, your surgeon can explain each step including how you’ll be anaesthetised, where incisions go and how their teams ensure your safety.

In Closing

Delaying appendicitis surgery can sometimes happen under close medical care, but only for short, controlled periods. You cannot predict exactly when your appendix may burst, so early treatment remains best.

Clinics in Singapore offer fast, safe laparoscopic surgery with minimal downtime. If you’ve been recommended an appendicitis surgery in Singapore, act quickly to reduce appendix removal risks, cut hospital stays and help you return to daily life sooner.

Do you think you have appendicitis symptoms? Visit our clinic in Singapore today for urgent scans and same-day surgery options. For more information, call or visit us at;

Tan Siong San Surgery
38 Irrawaddy Rd, #09-58 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre,
Singapore 329563
Phone: +65 6970 8852