Condition
What Is an Appendix?
The appendix, meaning a small, finger-shaped organ, is a part of the digestive system and can be found near the opening of the large intestine. It has no known significant function. An inflamed appendix causes appendicitis. Treatment to this is removal of the appendix through a process known as appendectomy.
What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Common appendix symptoms include: 1. Abdominal pain 2. Loss of appetite 3. Nausea and vomiting 4. Mild fever and body aches 5. Abdominal soreness and tenderness 6. Movement-related discomfort 7. Digestive issues like diarrhoea and constipation 8. Pain and discomfort in the rectal area 9. Frequent urination
Who is at Risk?
Benefits of Appendectomy Appendectomy have several advantages, some of which are- 1. Appendix removal, which gets rid of the source of infection and inflammation 2. Relief from appendix pain 3. Prevention of complications that can arise from untreated appendicitis, such as appendix rupture, inflammation of the abdominal lining, and abscess formation 4. No risk of appendicitis to occur again. 5. Risks of Appendectomy While appendectomy is safe and effective, it has certain risks, such as- 1. Appendectomy can cause infection, bleeding, and damage to surrounding organs, blood vessels, and nerves 2. Postoperative pain at the parts where incisions were made is possible 3. Open appendectomy leaves a significantly large scar 4. There can be adverse reactions to anaesthetics and medicines used during surgery 5. Laparoscopic surgery can damage the colon and other abdominal structures 6. In some cases, other parts of the appendix can get inflamed, resulting in a condition known as stump appendicitis
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What Causes Appendicitis?
Doctors are still uncertain about what causes appendicitis. Some possible reasons 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. Research suggests that people with a family history of appendicitis are more likely to develop the condition 5. A low-fibre diet increases the chances of 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.
Although people of all ages can have appendicitis, the ones between the ages 10 and 30 are most likely to develop this condition.
When performed to treat appendicitis, the success rate of appendectomy is generally very high. Most patients experience a complete resolution of symptoms and recovery without complications. However, the success may vary based on individual health, the presence of complications, and the surgical technique used. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes.
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.
