Condition
What Is an Appendix?
The appendix is a small, finger-shaped organ without any known function. It is situated near the junction of the small and large intestines. An inflamed appendix causes appendicitis. Doctors can treat this condition with the help of medicines and surgery.
What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Common appendix symptoms include the following: Sudden and severe abdominal pain near the navel which later shifts to the lower right abdomen. Appendix pain can worsen with time and physical activity. is the main symptom of appendicitis. Decreased appetite Nausea is a common sign of appendicitis Mild fever, generally not more than 100.4°F (38°C) Diarrhoea, constipation, and inability to pass gas Appendicitis can cause pain in the rectum at times.
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?
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?
Appendicitis diagnosis including physical examination, blood and imaging tests. 1. Decision to perform an appendectomy depending on the degree of inflammation and other symptoms. Patients with mild to severe appendicitis are eligible for surgery. 2. Urinary tract infections (UTI), gastrointestinal issues, or gynaecological concerns cause similar symptoms and need to be ruled out before appendectomy. 3. Overall stable physical health to undergo surgery, tolerance to anaesthesia and have a healthy cardiovascular and respiratory system. Appendectomy An appendectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove the appendix. Appendectomies are considered medical emergencies as an inflamed appendix might rupture within 36-48 hours after its symptoms develop. Appendectomies are of two types - laparoscopic and open appendectomy. Listed below are the steps involved in this procedure: 1. IV with antibiotics within 24 hours of diagnosis to initiate appendix treatment. 2. Additional assessments (blood tests, imaging tests, etc.) to have more clarity about the nature and signs of appendicitis. 3. During the procedure, the patients are given general anaesthesia and muscle relaxants to minimise pain and discomfort. 4. For a laparoscopic appendectomy, the surgeon will make a tiny incision near the navel. They will insert a small port into the incision, through which a cannula (a small, tube-like device) is inserted to inflate the abdominal cavity using carbon dioxide. This creates ample space for the procedure to take place. After this, they will put in a laparoscope (a thin tube with a small light and a high-resolution camera), which will guide them through the appendix operation. 5. For an open appendectomy, the surgeon will make one large incision in the lower abdominal region. They will open the abdominal cavity, disinfect it with a saline solution, and separate its muscles to locate the appendix. 6. The appendix is stitched up before being detached and removed from the intestines. 7. Any excess fluids or gases will be drained and the surgical cuts will be closed with stitches, cleaned, and dressed to prevent infection.
How Long Does It Take to Recover After an Appendectomy?
The recovery period depends on the type of appendectomy. Patients who opt for a laparoscopic appendectomy can takeup light activities within a couple of days and gain completely recover in about four weeks. On the other hand, patients who undergo open appendectomies might require more time to recover. They take about 2-4 weeks to resume normal activities.
What is the Success Rate of Appendectomies?
Compared to non-operative appendicitis treatments, appendectomy has a significantly high success rate. Per a study published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine in 2022, the success rate for appendectomy for patients during the first and second year (of the survey) was 92% and 62%, respectively. According to the same study, about 46% of all patients treated with antibiotics had to opt for an appendectomy within the next five years.
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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.
