About Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Home / Laparoscopic Appendectomy

About Appendix

What is the Appendix?

The appendix is a narrow, small, finger-shaped portion of the large intestine. It sits in the lower right part of your belly. If you have appendicitis, your appendix must be removed right away.

Appendicitis

What is appendicitis?

Your appendix is a finger-sized tube located where the large and small intestines connect. It has no known function, but if it gets inflamed or infected (appendicitis), you’ll need immediate treatment.

Causes

What causes appendicitis?

It’s not clear what brings on appendicitis. Something triggers an inflammation (irritation and swelling) or infection in your appendix. Causes could include:

• Abdominal injury or trauma

• Blockage at the opening where the appendix connects to the intestines.

• Digestive tract infection.

• Inflammatory bowel disease.

• Growths inside the appendix (Cancer).

Although the appendix does not seem to serve any purpose, it can become diseased and, if untreated, can burst, causing infection and even death. The cause of appendicitis is usually unknown. Appendicitis may occur after a viral infection in the digestive tract or when the tube connecting the large intestine and appendix is blocked or trapped by stool. The infected appendix then must be surgically removed (emergency appendectomy) before a hole develops in the appendix and spreads the infection to the entire abdominal space.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?

Severe abdominal pain in the lower right belly — where your appendix is — is a key sign of appendicitis. Symptoms often come on suddenly and get worse. They include:

• Abdominal pain or tenderness that hurts more when you cough, sneeze, inhale or move.

• Swollen belly.

• Constipation.

• Diarrhea.

• Inability to pass gas.

• Loss of appetite (not feeling hungry when you usually would).

• Low-grade fever (below 100 degrees F).

• Nausea and vomiting.

Feel free to consult Dr. Brijendra Singh at Brij Laser and Laparoscopy Centre if you notice any of these symptoms.

Diagnosis

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

You’ll describe your symptoms and have a physical examination. Your doctor may order a blood test to check for infection. You also may have an imaging scan. Any of these tests can show signs of blockage, inflammation or rupture of your appendix:

• Computed tomography (CT) scans show cross-sections of the body. They use a combination of X-rays and computer technology.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and magnets to produce detailed images of abdominal organs.

Treatment

How is appendicitis treated?

Most people with appendicitis need a surgery called an appendectomy. It removes a diseased appendix. If the appendix hasn’t yet ruptured, surgery prevents that rupture and keeps infection from spreading. Before surgery, you receive intravenous (IV) antibiotics to treat infection. Some cases of mild appendicitis get better with antibiotics alone. Your doctor will watch you closely to determine if you need surgery. Surgery is the only way to treat abdominal infection when the appendix ruptures.

Surgery

How Appendix removal surgery is done?

There are 2 types of surgery to remove the appendix. The standard or classical method is an open appendectomy. A newer, less invasive method is a laparoscopic appendectomy.

Open appendectomy: A cut or incision about 2 to 4 inches long is made in the lower right-hand side of your belly or abdomen. The appendix is taken out through the incision.

Laparoscopic appendectomy: This method is less invasive. That means it’s done without a large incision. Instead, from 2 to 3 tiny cuts are made. The appendix is removed through one of the incisions.

Now During a laparoscopic surgery, your provider may decide that an open appendectomy is needed.

What Is A Laparoscopic Appendectomy?

The laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgical technique involves making 2-3 tiny cuts in the abdomen and inserting a miniature camera and surgical instruments. The surgeon then removes the appendix with the instruments, so there is usually no need to make a large incision in the abdomen. The camera projects a magnified image of the area onto a television monitor which helps guide the surgeons as they remove the appendix.

Complications of appendicitis

What are the complications of appendicitis?

If it isn’t treated, a diseased appendix can rupture. A burst appendix can cause an infection that can lead to serious illness and even death. Complications include:

• Abscess: You may develop an appendicular abscess, or a pocket of infectious pus. Your healthcare provider will place drainage tubes in your abdomen. These tubes remove fluid from the abscess before surgery. The drainage process may take a week or longer. During this time, you take antibiotics to fight infection. After the abscess is gone, you’ll have surgery to remove the appendix.

• Abdominal infection: Peritonitis can be life-threatening if infection spreads throughout the abdomen. Abdominal surgery (laparotomy) removes the ruptured appendix and treats the infection.

• Sepsis: Bacteria from a ruptured appendix can get into your bloodstream. If it does, it can cause a serious condition called sepsis. Sepsis causes widespread inflammation in many of your organs. It can be fatal. It requires hospital treatment with strong antibiotics.

A note from Brij Laser and Laparoscopy Centre