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?
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 pain when pressure is applied to the lower right abdomen 7. Digestive problems like constipation, diarrhoea, and the inability to pass gas 8. In rare cases, appendicitis can cause rectal pain
Who is at Risk?
Appendectomy has the following benefits: 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 fast recovery 4. Appendix removal ensures zero chances of developing appendicitis in the future 5. Laparoscopic appendicitis surgery is minimally invasive, resulting in little to no to smaller postoperative discomfort and scarring However, the procedure comes with certain risks as well, including: 1. Bleeding and mild pain 2. Open appendectomies result in a noticeable scar 3. Damage to the organs, muscles, and blood vessels around the appendix 4. It can sometimes lead to abscess formation and a stump appendix (inflammation in other parts of the organ)
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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?
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?
Recovery time after an appendectomy depends on the type of surgery. People opting for a laparoscopic appendectomy can resume to light activities within a few days. They take 2-4 weeks to completely recover. Open appendectomy patients typically require 2-4 weeks to recover as well. Closely following the doctor’s instructions ensures a smooth recovery.
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.
