APPENDISECTOMY (SURGICAL REMOVAL OF THE APPENDIX)

WHAT IS APPENDICITIS?

Appendicitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the appendix due to obstruction due fecal stone leading to bacterial infection.

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

Fever, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the right side of the abdomen. It generally occurs in young patients.

DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATIONS

An inflamed appendix is visualized by ultrasonography in 60% of the cases. However, other causes mimicking appendicitis such as ureteric stone or conditions involving the reproductive tract in case of female patients like ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst are definitely ruled out with ultrasonography.

TREATMENT

Laparoscopic removal of the inflamed appendix is the treatment of choice.

CAN SURGERY BE AVOIDED?

NO.The fecal stone will not go away by medications. Hence, appendicitis will recur (come back). Thus, surgery can be deferred (2-3 weeks) but not avoided.

Waiting or not getting operated may lead to further complications like

• Danger of the appendix getting infected with accumulation of pus in its cavity.
• This infected appendix could burst, thus spreading the pus-causing organisms in the abdominal cavity.
• Due to the inflammation of the appendix, there is a danger of its own blood circulation getting hampered, leading to gangrene of appendix.

It is always better to go ahead with a planned surgery on a mutually convenient day for you and your surgeon rather than risking the development of any of the above complications after which an emergency and complicated surgical procedure may have to be enforced.

SURGERY IS VERY SIMPLE.

• Laparoscopy is minimally invasive, that is, you get a very small scar.
• The risk involved in this surgery is very small.
• There is very little pain and discomfort due to this surgery.

INSTRUCTIONS AFTER SURGERY

• Hospitalization is for generally 2 days.
• You can have a bath and walk about after 2 days.
• Recovery and stitches removal after 7 days.
• There are no dietary restrictions.
• Remember that you are fit to travel and do your routine work without any hindrance.
• However, it is best to avoid lifting heavy (>15 kg) weights and indulging in heavy work and exercise for at least 1 month after the surgery.

HOW WILL YOUR BODY COPE WITH THE LOSS OF THE APPENDIX?

Your body will not miss the appendix at all because the appendix a vestigial (useless) part of your body and does not perform any function whatsoever.