seoadmin Appendicectomy or Appendectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the appendix, a small, finger-shaped tube attached to the large intestine. The surgical procedure is performed when a person has an inflamed or infected appendix (appendicitis).
Appendicitis is considered as a medical emergency since an inflamed appendix has the potential to burst and cause serious complications.
It is important to get the treatment at the earliest if a person experiences the following symptoms:
- Abdominal swelling
- Pain in the abdomen that spreads to the lower right
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Nausea
- Frequent, painful urination
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Fever
Untreated appendicitis can cause the appendix to burst, and infectious agents can spread throughout the abdominal cavity. This can cause inflammation of the abdominal lining or peritonitis.
Bursting of the appendix may also result in the spread of infection to the bloodstream and may cause sepsis. Both sepsis and peritonitis can cause chronic illness and may also become fatal in some cases.
Why is appendectomy performed?
Appendectomy is performed to remove the infected appendix. It is considered the safest treatment for an inflamed appendix in most cases. There are, however, certain individuals who may benefit from antibiotics if they are unfit for surgery or with early signs of appendicitis.
These people may be at risk of developing appendicitis again in the future. Hence, it is safest to remove the appendix to avoid the risk of appendix rupture.
What are the causes of appendicitis?
A blockage in the appendix’s lining can cause infection in the appendix. The bacteria grows rapidly in the blocked area, causing swollen and inflamed appendix. If not treated quickly, the appendix may burst and cause the infection to spread.
Types of Appendicectomy
There are two types of surgical procedures to remove the appendix – open appendectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy. The type of surgery a person should undergo depends on the severity of appendicitis and the person’s medical condition.
Open Appendectomy
During open appendectomy, a surgeon will make a 2-4 inches long incision in the lower right of the abdomen. The appendix is removed through this incision, and the wound is stitched. The surgeon will also clean the abdominal cavity if the appendix is ruptured. The surgeon may perform an open appendectomy when:
- the appendix is ruptured, and the infection has spread to the abdominal cavity
- the person already had abdominal surgery in the past
- there is a lump or appendix mass where the appendix ruptured
Laparoscopic appendectomy
It is a less invasive method and is performed without a large incision. Instead, 1-3 small cuts are made in the abdomen. A thin tube called a laparoscope is put through one of the cuts. The laparoscope includes surgical tools and a small video camera. The camera displays the image on the screen allowing the surgeon to see inside the abdomen and guide the surgical tools to remove the appendix through one of the incisions.
A surgeon will advise laparoscopic appendicectomy if the person:
- doesn’t have any complications due to appendicitis
- undergoes surgery may suffer complications
- has obesity
- is pregnant
The appendix is tied off in both surgeries with stitches before detaching it from the intestine. Excess fluid is drained through incisions before stitching, cleaning, and dressing the wounds. If the person has peritonitis, the surgeon may leave a drainage tube in the abdomen to drain the fluid.
Is appendectomy safe during pregnancy?
If a pregnant woman has appendicitis, it is safer for the mother and the baby to have an appendectomy than to worsen appendicitis. Delaying appendix surgery may increase the risk of complications, such as:
- Peritonitis
- Premature delivery
- Miscarriage
- Bleeding after delivery
Laparoscopic appendicectomy is the preferred treatment option for pregnant women with appendicitis.
What are the risks of appendicectomy?
The appendix operation is a safe surgical procedure. Both types of appendectomy have a low risk of complications. However, some risks associated with the surgery include the following:
- Wound infection
- Blood clot formation
- Internal bleeding
- Injury to other organs, such as the intestine and the bladder
- Hernia
Appendectomy is a very common surgical procedure, and such complications are rare. Moreover, the risk associated with appendicitis and rupturing of the appendix is far more severe and complicated than appendicectomy.
Can appendicitis be treated without surgery?
Non-surgical treatment of appendicitis may be possible for patients with early signs of infection. In such cases, antibiotics may be given to treat appendicitis. However, antibiotics may not be enough to treat appendicitis, and the person may experience recurrent pain.
In some cases, appendicitis may cause the formation of an appendix mass or lump on the appendix. If the appendix mass is present, the person may not require immediate appendicitis surgery. Instead, the doctors may recommend antibiotics to settle the mass and advise appendicectomy after a few weeks.
Patiala Heart Institute offers the best treatment to all patients. Our highly professional surgeons have years of experience in handling appendicectomy. We assure to provide the best care for appendicectomy.
Can you live a normal life without an appendix?
Living without an appendix will not cause any health problems. Most people have no long-term effects on their health and can live a normal life after appendicectomy. However, you should avoid foods with high-fat content and processed sugar after getting your appendix removed, as these foods can be difficult to digest.
What is the most common age for appendicitis?
Although appendicitis can develop at any age, it most commonly occurs in people between 10-30 years old.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and the rest of the website is also very good.