{"id":1175,"date":"2021-10-16T14:06:50","date_gmt":"2021-10-16T08:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yashodahealthcare.com\/blogs\/?p=1175"},"modified":"2023-03-21T11:22:35","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T05:52:35","slug":"laparoscopic-appendix-removal-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yashodahealthcare.com\/blogs\/laparoscopic-appendix-removal-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"What do you understand by appendicitis, and what does it do?"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

What is Appendix?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The appendix is a narrow, tube-shaped organ that is attached to the opening of the large intestine or colon. A few centimetres long, it is present in the lower right side of the abdomen below the navel where the large and small intestines connect. It is a vestigial organ which can be removed from the body without affecting its proper functioning. When it gets inflamed and swollen, it can result in serious health problems.<\/p>\n

What is Appendicitis?<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Appendicitis is the inflammation and swelling of the appendix which may be caused by an obstruction or blockage in its opening. When the appendix gets infected, the bacteria multiply quickly, leading to the formation of pus inside the organ which causes pain that begins around the navel and travels to the lower right part of the abdomen. The pain may worsen or severe when pressed on the area or while coughing or walking. One may also experience loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Therefore, <\/span>when the appendix becomes infected, <\/span>it <\/span>needs to be <\/span>removed as soon as possible. If not treated promptly, the appendix may rupture <\/span>leading to a life threatening <\/span>or fatal infection<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Appendectomy?<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n

Appendicectomy or <\/span>appendectomy is a surgery to remove the infected appendix in order to <\/span>treat the appendicitis condition. It is a common surgery to get the appendix removed. <\/span>There are two ways or types of surgery to remove the appendix, namely open appendectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy. Open appendectomy is the standard method wherein a large cut or incision is made on the right-hand side of the abdomen to remove the appendix, taken out through incision. <\/span>Laparoscopic appendectomy on the other hand, is the less invasive procedure <\/span>wherein small incisions or cuts are made to remove the appendix. <\/span><\/p>\n

Laparoscopic Appendectomy Procedure <\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

In case of laparoscopic appendectomy, a general anaesthesia is administered so that the patient <\/span>will not feel any pain. A few small incisions or cuts are made in the abdomen to access the <\/span>appendix. A cannula or small tube is inserted which fills carbon dioxide gas in the abdomen to <\/span>inflate or create space for surgery. This is followed by an insertion of a long and narrow <\/span>instrument called laparoscope (high-intensity light and high-resolution camera) through the <\/span>incision. The camera displays the surgery on a screen in the operating room guiding the <\/span>instruments. When the appendix is found, it is disconnected and removed through the incisions <\/span>which is then cleaned, closed and dressed. In case of a ruptured appendix, excessive bleeding <\/span>or accumulated pus, a small plastic tube is used to drain the fluid from the surgical area, which <\/span>can be removed in 3-7 days depending upon the patient\u2019s progress post-surgery. <\/span><\/p>\n

After the laparoscopic appendectomy is performed, the doctors and nurses will observe and monitor the patient\u2019s vital signs for several hours. <\/span>The patient may leave the hospital on the <\/span>very day of the surgery or may have to stay longer in the hospital, which the doctor will decide. <\/span>However, <\/span>when the patient will get discharged will depend on the overall health condition, the type of appendectomy performed and the body\u2019s response to the surgery<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Post-surgery, you may experience discomfort or moderate pain in the abdomen and in the incision areas. To relieve the pain, the doctor may also prescribe you pain relievers and antibiotics to prevent infection post-surgery. In order to avoid infection, one should clean the incision areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advantages of Laparoscopic Appendectomy<\/b><\/h2>\n

Laparoscopic appendectomy has certain advantages over open appendectomy such as:<\/span><\/p>\n