Appendectomy

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Appendectomy is the surgical method for removing the appendix. Mostly, this procedure takes place on an emergency basis. Some patients who are undergoing abdominal surgeries for any other health problems can ask their doctor to remove the appendix so that appendicitis doesn’t get a chance to develop in the future. It would help if you discussed it with your surgeon first.

Appendectomies are a quick method of removing your appendicitis. It has a few risks or side effects that your doctor can easily cure. It is best to treat your appendicitis because if you wait for a longer time, it can erupt, which can be life-threatening and challenging to treat.

So, if you have signs of appendicitis, then consult your doctor on an emergency basis to save your life.

Why Is an Appendectomy Performed?

When your appendix gets inflamed and swollen because of the infection, surgeons remove it by performing appendectomies. This health disorder is known as appendicitis. The condition occurs in your appendix when its opening becomes blocked by the stool or bacteria. It leads to inflammation, and your appendix becomes swollen.

The most effective and quickest way to solve the problem is to remove the appendix. Unfortunately, the appendix can burst if it doesn’t get immediate and proper treatment. When the appendix erupts, the bacteria and fecal particles inside the organ spread into your abdomen.

It can cause a severe infection called peritonitis. A person can also build up an abscess if their appendix burst. Both of these problems are life-threatening and needs immediate treatment and surgery.

Symptoms of Appendicitis

There are various symptoms of appendicitis, some of them are:

• Severe stomach pain starting suddenly around the belly button and traveling to the lower right side of the abdomen
• Swelling in abdomen
• Rigid abdomen muscles
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fever
• Loss of appetite

Mostly, appendicitis pain occurs in the lower right side of your abdomen, but pregnant women can feel the pain in the upper right side of their abdomen. One in every 1,500 pregnant women needs an appendectomy.

You need to rush to the emergency if you feel you are facing any of the mentioned symptoms. It is best to get treatment immediately to avoid any further health problems and complications.

Appendectomy Procedure

Usually, surgeons perform appendectomies in operating rooms. First, they shave the patient’s hairs and swab with a germ-killing medical solution. This sterility method helps to avoid infections.

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Moreover, the surgeon can use either laparoscopic techniques or open surgery methods for removing the appendix. The open surgery involves making a 2 to 3-inch incision in the lower right-hand side of your abdomen to remove the appendix. The other method requires several small incisions in your abdomen; it uses a laparoscope to capture images of the inner body. The surgeon removes the appendix with the help of these images.

Home Much Time You Need To Recover?

The recovery time after appendectomy varies from person to person and also widely depends on the type of the surgical method, type of anesthesia, and complication that develops after surgery. For instance, a laparoscopic appendectomy can take place on an outpatient basis so that the patient can go home to recover.

However, open methods may need an overnight stay or more than that to be cured enough to go home. The patient can start to perform normal regular activities in a few days. Still, complete recovery can take 4 to 6 weeks to resume strenuous activities. Until this time, you need to avoid extra stressful activities.

Risks of an Appendectomy

An appendectomy method is one of the most common surgeries and simpler to perform. However, there are some risks related to the surgery, which can be painful, including:

• Bleeding
• injury to nearby organs
• infection
• blocked bowels

However, it’s important to understand that the risk of not treating your appendicitis is more severe than these associated risks of appendectomy. Patients require appendectomy immediately to deter peritonitis and abscesses from developing.

Bottom Line

You need to take this condition seriously and get its treatment immediately. If you are looking for a surgeon who can perform appendectomies without causing any complications in your surgery, Lenox Hill Surgeons are here to help you.

We use cutting-edge technology, and our qualified surgeons have the expertise to make your surgery successful. Whether you need an appendectomy or other treatments for other abdominal-related conditions, contact us today to book an appointment. You can either visit our website or contact us on 646-846-1136.

Don’t wait too long to treat your appendicitis!