Appendectomy - Things That Can Help You Recover Fast!

What is an Appendectomy? 
An appendectomy (which is sometimes referred to ‘appendicectomy’) is the surgical removal of the organ known as the appendix. Appendectomy is mostly performed as an emergency surgical procedure, when patients suffer from appendicitis. 

How is Appendectomy Performed? 
Appendectomy can be performed both as an open operation as well as laparoscopically. Nowadays it is most commonly performed laparoscopically with small incisions to reduce pain and quicken recovery. 

Conventional Open Appendectomy- 
In the conventional open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision which is about 2.5- 3 inches in length in the lower right section of the abdomen. Once the infected appendix is identified, the surgeon separates the infected appendix from its surrounding tissues and removes it surgically from the cecum (first part of large intestine).

The muscle layers and the skin are sewn together and the incision is closed. 

Laparoscopic Appendectomy (LA)- 
While performing appendectomy laparoscopically, 2 or 3 incisions of 0.5 or 1 cm length are made in the abdomen. The surgeon then passes the camera and special laparoscopy instruments through these openings and the appendix is removed from the cecum and the site of its former attachment is sewed. The infected appendix is removed from the body. In the end, the laparoscopic instruments are removed and the incisions are sutured and closed. During this whole procedure, the intraperitoneal space is filled with medical grade carbon dioxide gas, to inflate the abdomen, which is released after the surgery. 75810

Recovery Time For Appendectomy- 
With the advent of laparoscopy, recovery is very fast and patients can be discharged on the same day. They need to avoid any heavy exercise and oily and spicy food for a few days. They can resume work in a day or two. 

Risks and complications of Appendicitis and Appendectomy 
A routine appendectomy has very few complications. As appendix is not essential for digestion, there is no change in physiology. A ruptured appendix can sometimes give high fever, pus formation and intra-abdominal infection. Hence it is essential to treat appendicitis early. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!