Condition
What Is an Appendix?
Appendix, meaning a thin tube-shaped organ, is a part of the digestive system. It is around four inches long and is attached to the large intestine. It is a vestigial organ. Sometimes, the appendix can get swollen due to various reasons, leading to a medical condition known as appendicitis.
What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Listed below are some of the appendix symptoms: 1. Sudden, intense pain originating near the navel and shifting to the lower abdomen 2. Loss of appetite 3. Nausea, which can lead to vomiting 4. An urge to urinate more often than usual 5. Mild fever, usually not exceeding 100.4°F (38°C) 6. Sharp appendix pain when pressure is applied to the lower right abdomen 7. Constipation, diarrhoea, and the inability to pass gas 8. Rectal pain
Who is at Risk?
The benefits of appendectomy include: 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, there are certain risks associated with appendectomy as well. These include: 1. Infection, bleeding, and injury to surrounding organs, blood vessels, and nerves 2. Mild to moderate pain at the operated area after appendicitis surgery 3. Open appendectomies leave a prominent scar 4. Some patients might be allergic to the anaesthetics and drugs used during surgery 5. Rarely, appendectomy can result in a persistent abscess
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Enhanced Quality of Care
End-to-End Management
Continuous Guidance
Lower Costs and easy financing support
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What Causes Appendicitis?
Some possible causes include: 1. Faecal matter, foreign bodies, or tumours can block parts of the digestive system, increasing the pressure within the appendix and causing inflammation 2. Bacterial infections within the appendix or elsewhere in the digestive tract 3. Swollen lymphoid follicles within the appendix 4. A low-fibre diet increases the chances of appendicitis
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Getting an Appendectomy?
A patient's eligibility for an appendectomy depends on the following factors: 1. An appendicitis diagnosis 2. Assessment of how severe the appendicitis symptoms are 3. Ruling out other conditions that might lead to similar symptoms 4. Stable heart and lung health 5. The ability to tolerate general anaesthesia Appendectomy Appendectomy is the surgical appendix treatment. There are two types of appendectomy - laparoscopic and open appendectomy. Laparoscopic appendectomy is a minimally invasive procedure for appendix operation. It is performed with the help of a laparoscope (a thin tube with attached lights and a camera). 1. The different stages of this procedure are listed below- 2. The doctor performs anaesthesia to render the area around the appendix numb, which ensures a pain-free operation. 3. They make small cuts to the abdomen to insert the laparoscope and other surgical tools. 4. The surgeon uses the laparoscope to identify the inflamed appendix. 5. They remove the appendix from the cecum using specialised tools. Before appendix removal, they place it in a sterile bag. 6. The cuts are closed with stitches or left to heal naturally. 7. Patients recover as the anaesthesia wears off. Laparoscopic appendicitis ensures a faster, less painful recovery compared to open surgery. 8. Laparoscopic surgery has certain advantages like it involves smaller incisions, low postoperative pain discomfort, and a quick recovery period. However, open appendectomy might be necessary in certain complications, like a ruptured appendix.
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. On the contrary, people undergoing an open appendectomy require 2-4 weeks of rest before returning to regular activities.
What is the Success Rate of Appendectomies?
Appendectomy has a very high success rate, especially compared to non-operative appendicitis treatments. According to a 2022 study published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, the surgical procedure was successful for 92% of patients for the first year, and 62% for the next year. It also found that 46% of all patients treated with antibiotics had to undergo appendectomy within the next five years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Appendicitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the appendix. Usually, an infection in the appendix causes this inflammation. Signs of appendicitis include abdominal pain, frequent urination, bloating, constipation, etc.
Obstructions, infections, enlarged lymphoid follicles, gastrointestinal infections, and tumours are some of the factors that can cause appendicitis.
The most important benefit of appendectomy is that it cures appendicitis. Additionally, the surgery reduces the spread of infections and prevents the chances of appendicitis occuring in the future.
Patients undergoing a laparoscopic appendectomy can engage in light activities within a week and completely recover in 2-4 weeks. Patients going through an open appendectomy have a similar recovery period; however, they must remain hospitalised for a couple of days after surgery.
