Condition
What Is an Appendix?
The appendix, meaning a small, finger-shaped organ, is located near the junction of the small and large intestines. It is typically about 3-4 inches long. It serves no known function. Appendicitis is a medical condition marked by an inflamed appendix. To cure this, doctors surgically remove the appendix through a surgical process called appendectomy.
What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Listed below are some of the common appendix symptoms- 1. Sudden and severe abdominal pain that starts around the navel and travels to the lower abdomen is the main symptoms of appendicitis. The pain worsens with time. Activities like walking, coughing, and sneezing can worsen the appendix pain. 2. There can be a sudden loss of appetite. 3. One of the signs of appendicitis include nausea, which sometimes may come with vomiting. 4. Some individuals with appendicitis may develop a mild fever. 5. Pressure on the lower right side of the abdomen can feel sore, tender, or painful. 6. There can be changes in bowel habits, diarrhoea, constipation, and difficulty in passing gas. 7. Appendicitis can cause pain in the rectum, in rare cases.
Who is at Risk?
Appendectomy has several benefits, such as: 1. Eliminates the source of infection and inflammation 2. Relieves you from appendix pain 3. Prevents potentially life-threatening complications like peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining) and abscess formation 4. Short hospitalisation and quick recovery 5. Zero risk of future appendicitis 6. Stops the infection from spreading to other abdominal areas However, it comes with certain risks as well, including: 1. Infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves 2. Postoperative pain at the incision site 3. Open appendectomy results in a noticeable scar 4. Allergic reactions to surgery medications or have anaesthesia-related complications 5. Stump appendicitis
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Enhanced Quality of Care
End-to-End Management
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Lower Costs and easy financing support
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What Causes Appendicitis?
Causes of appendicitis include: 1. Obstructed by faecal matter, a foreign body, or a swollen lymph node. 2. Bacterial infections, either within the appendix itself or in the surrounding area, can result in appendicitis. 3. An overgrowth or inflammation of lymph nodes can lead to appendicitis. 4. Certain gastrointestinal infections or illnesses can travel to the appendix and cause inflammation. 5. There might be a genetic component leading to appendicitis.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Getting an Appendectomy?
Criteria that makes one eligible for appendectomy include- 1. An appendicitis diagnosis 2. The severity of appendicitis 3. Ruling out other illnesses, such as urinary tract infections (UTI), gastrointestinal issues, or gynaecological concerns, that might cause similar symptoms 4. Stable physical health is required to undergo surgery. Patients must be able to tolerate anaesthesia and have a healthy cardiovascular and respiratory system. Appendectomy The choice of appendix treatments depends on various factors, including the patient's condition and potential complications.There are two procedures that can be carried out- laparoscopic surgery and open appendectomy. Laparoscopic surgery is preferred as it has several benefits including smaller incisions, causes less postoperative pain, and has a shorter recovery time. However, open appendectomy may be necessary when the appendix has already ruptured. The steps of an appendix operation include following steps- 1. IV line with antibiotics within 24 hours of diagnosis. 2. Additional tests (blood, imaging, etc.)to gain better clarity about the nature and signs of appendicitis. 3. Avoiding food for 8 hours before surgery. 4. Anaesthesia and muscle relaxants to minimise appendix pain. 5. For a laparoscopic appendectomy, a small incision near the navel, then inserting a tiny port and, through it, a cannula (a small, tube-like device) to inflate the abdominal cavity using carbon dioxide, creating space for the procedure. The laparoscopy is inserted which will guide through the appendix operation. 6. For an open appendectomy, one large incision in the lower abdomen is made to open the abdominal cavity, it is sterilised using saline and muscles are separated. Appendix is sutured, detached and removed. 7. The abdomen is closed using sutures.
How Long Does It Take to Recover After an Appendectomy?
Recovery time after an appendectomy depends on the type of surgery. Most people can return to light activities within days of having a laparoscopic appendectomy, while full recovery takes 2-4 weeks. People undergoing an open appendectomy must rest for 2-4 weeks before returning to normal activities.
What is the Success Rate of Appendectomies?
Appendectomies are one of the most effective surgeries to treat appendicitis, with a success rate as high as 95%. This number is considerably higher than the success rate of non-operative appendix treatments, which is around 67%.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Appendicitis is a medical condition caused by an inflamed appendix. The surgery for appendix removal is called appendectomy.
Obstructions, infections, enlarged lymphoid follicles, gastrointestinal infections, and tumours are common appendicitis causes.
Appendicitis is one of the most successful surgeries with about 95% success rate.
Laparoscopic appendectomy takes a few days for recovery however, it takes about 2-4 weeks to completely recover. Patients going through an open appendectomy must remain hospitalised for a couple of days after surgery.
Open appendectomy is preferred for acute, severe cases of appendicitis. On the contrary, laparoscopic appendectomy is better suited for less complicated cases as it is a minimally invasive procedure that is quicker and relatively more painless than open surgery.
