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 and has no known functions. Sometimes, the appendix can get swollen due to various reasons, leading to a medical condition known as appendicitis.
What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
The appendix symptoms listed below indicate appendicitis: 1. Sudden, persistent pain that originates near the navel and moves to the lower right abdomen in a few hours 2. Nausea and vomiting 3. Appetite loss 4. Mild fever, with body temperature not exceeding 100.4°F (38°C) 5. The lower right part of the , when pressed, might feel sore or tender 6. Walking, coughing, sneezing, etc. can be difficult as they worsen the appendix pain 7. Constipation, diarrhoea, and other digestive concerns 8. Increased urge to urinate
Who is at Risk?
The benefits of appendectomy include: 1. Successful management of appendicitis by removing the appendix and eliminating the source of any infection and inflammation 2. Relief from stomach pain caused by appendicitis 3. Short hospital stay and quick recovery 4. Appendix removal ensures there are no chances of developing appendicitis again 5. Laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive, resulting in little to no to smaller postoperative discomfort and scarring 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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What Causes Appendicitis?
The following factors might cause appendicitis: 1. Hard, bacteria-carrying faecal matter (also known as appendix stones) can get stuck near the opening of the appendix and increase the pressure within 2. Bacterial infections in or around the appendix 3. Swollen and enlarged lymphoid tissue 4. Inflammatory bowel diseases 5. Colon infections 6. Cystic fibrosis 7. Tumours
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Getting an Appendectomy?
Appendectomy An appendectomy is a surgical procedure. It is used to remove the appendix and is one of the most effective treatments for appendicitis. 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. Within 24 hours of the diagnosis, an IV line is inserted into the patient’s veins to initiate the appendix treatment with the help of antibiotics. 2. Doctors might order additional assessments (blood tests, imaging tests, etc.) to gain more clarity about the nature and signs of appendicitis. 3. Patients must abstain from eating and drinking anything for eight hours prior to the surgery. Instead, they receive fluids through the IV line during this period. 4. During the procedure, the patients are given general anaesthesia and muscle relaxants to minimise pain and discomfort. 5. 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. Next, 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. 6. 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. 7. The appendix is stitched up before being detached and removed from the intestines. 8. 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?
Patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy can resume light activities within a couple of days. However, they take around 2-4 weeks to recover completely. The recovery process for open appendectomy is 2-4 weeks as well.
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. Appendectomy is the surgical procedure doctors use to remove the appendix and treat appendicitis.
Although people of all ages can have appendicitis, the ones between the ages 10 and 30 are most likely to develop this condition.
Despite being extremely effective, appendectomy involves a few risks. Examples of these include mild pain and bleeding after surgery, noticeable scarring, and negative reactions to anaesthesia and medications used during the operation.
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.
