Appendicitis Surgery

Appendicitis occurs when the appendix gets inflamed or swollen. It’s a medical emergency that almost always requires the immediate appendicitis surgery to remove the appendix. Luckily, you can live without this organ peacefully.

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So, where is your appendix? This 3 and a 1/2 inch long organ extends from your large intestine on the lower right side of your abdomen.

What Causes Appendicitis?

Appendicitis can strike in any gender and at any age. But it is rare in children who are less than the age of 2. Mostly, it occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30.

Appendicitis occurs because your appendix gets clogged up because of the presence of feces, any foreign body like bacteria, or cancer. This blockage can also happen because of infection since the appendix can inflame in response to a body infection.

Types and Procedure of Appendectomy

There are two methods to perform the appendicitis surgery, open and laparoscopic. Your doctor will choose the type of surgery considering several factors, including the complexity of your appendicitis and medical history.

Open Appendectomy

In this procedure, your surgeon makes one long incision on the lower right side of your abdomen. Then, they remove the appendix and close the opening with the stitches. The open appendectomy allows your surgeon to clean the abdominal cavity if the appendix has erupted.

Your doctor will choose this method if the particles inside the appendix spread to the abdomen. This option is also perfect for patients who have had abdominal surgery earlier as well.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy

During the laparoscopic appendectomy, your surgeon removes the appendix by making multiple small incisions in your abdomen. The doctor then inserts a small narrow tube known as a cannula. This instrument helps to pump up your belly with the carbon dioxide gas. This method allows your surgeon to see the appendix.

After inflating your abdomen, the doctor injects a tool called a laparoscopic through the incision. This instrument is a long, thin tube that has a high-intensity light and high-resolution camera. The camera helps your surgeon to see inside your body and aids in guiding them by displaying images on a screen. When the doctor locates the appendix, they take it out from your body. All the incisions are sterilized, closed, and dressed.

This type of surgery is a perfect option for seniors and patients who are overweight. This method has fewer risks than open appendectomy surgery and typically takes a shorter time to recover completely.

What You Face During Appendectomy

Before your surgeon removes the appendix, they will give you antibiotics to fight against infection. You will be asleep throughout the appendicitis surgery after taking anesthesia. The doctors remove the appendix by making a 4-inch long incision or with a tool called a laparoscope, in your abdomen. If any patient has peritonitis, then the surgeon will also clean their abdomen and drain the pus.

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Moreover, you can get up and walk around after 12 hours of your surgery. Mostly, people go back to their regular routine after 2 to 3 weeks. If your surgeon uses the methods of laparoscopy, then you will recover faster.

Contact your doctor if you face any of the following problems after appendicitis surgery:

• Uncontrolled vomiting
• Pus in the wound
• Increased abdomen pain
• Feelings of faintness or dizziness
• Blood in your vomit or pee
• Excessive pain and redness at the place of the incision on your belly
• Fever

Bottom Line

Appendicitis surgery is one of the simple, quicker, and effective procedures. Almost all surgeries get successful and typically don’t show any severe complications. However, appendicitis itself is life-threatening. This health problem can cause trouble more than you think. If your appendix gets severe, then it can erupt in your body. The particles in the appendix, such as bacteria and feces, can cause infection in the abdomen.

If this happens with the patients, they need to rush towards the emergency to get the surgery immediately. The doctor will not waste any time and start the treatment. But the treatment is always the surgery. Moreover, if you face any symptoms of appendicitis, go to your doctor to have a checkup. Your doctor will suggest the best treatment.

In this case, Lenox hills surgeons can help you. We have surgeons who are serving in this field for many years and provide you the best treatment possible. They perform appendicitis surgery using the best technology and methods to prevent any complications. Visit our website or call us on 646-846-1136 to book an appointment. Hurry up before it is too late.