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An appendectomy is the removal of the appendix. The appendix is a small, blind-ended tube that is attached to the large intestine.
An appendectomy is most often done as an emergency operation to treat appendicitis . Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. It can be caused by an infection or obstruction.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an appendectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some risk factors that make complications more likely include:
Your doctor may do the following:
Antibiotics will be started right away. Since appendicitis is an emergency condition, surgery is almost always done right away.
General anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep, with a temporary breathing tube in place.
Three small incisions will be made in your abdomen. A laparoscope (small tool with a camera on the end) will be passed through an incision. Gas will be blown into your abdomen to make it easier for the doctor to see. Other tools will be inserted into the incisions. The camera will send images of your insides to a video screen. The doctor will use these images to find and remove the appendix.
The appendix will be detached from surrounding tissue. The doctor will stop any bleeding from blood vessels. The appendix will then be tied off and cut out. A stapler will be used to cut the appendix out. The incisions will be closed with stitches or staples.
The removed tissue is examined by a pathologist.
1-2 hours
Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. You may be given medicine to manage any pain.
You may go home on the same day, as long as there are no complications.
You will be asked to get out of bed about six hours after surgery.
Recovery takes about 1-2 weeks.
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American College of Surgeons
http://www.facs.org/
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
http://www.cag-acg.org/
Canadian Family Physician
http://www.cfp.ca/
References:
American College of Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.facs.org. Accessed July 22, 2009.
Discharge instructions for an appendectomy. EBSCO Patient Education Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=1034. Updated November 2008. Accessed July 22, 2009.
Schwartz S. Principles of Surgery. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2001.
Townsend C, Beauchamp DR, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 16th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2001.
Townsend C, Beauchamp DR, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 17th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2003.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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