Condition
What Is an Appendix?
The appendix, meaning a small, finger-shaped organ, is located near the junction of the small and large intestines. It is typically about 3-4 inches long. It serves no known function. Appendicitis is a medical condition marked by an inflamed appendix. To cure this, doctors surgically remove the appendix through a surgical process called appendectomy.
What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Listed below are some of the common appendix symptoms- 1. Sudden and severe abdominal pain that starts around the navel and travels to the lower abdomen is the main symptoms of appendicitis. The pain worsens with time. Activities like walking, coughing, and sneezing can worsen the appendix pain. 2. There can be a sudden loss of appetite. 3. One of the signs of appendicitis include nausea, which sometimes may come with vomiting. 4. Some individuals with appendicitis may develop a mild fever. 5. Pressure on the lower right side of the abdomen can feel sore, tender, or painful. 6. There can be changes in bowel habits, diarrhoea, constipation, and difficulty in passing gas. 7. Appendicitis can cause pain in the rectum, in rare cases.
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?
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?
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
The appendix is a small, tube-shaped organ situated near the junction of the small and large intestines. It is about 3-4 inches long and has no known functions.
Appendectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat appendicitis. Usually, an infection or inflammation in the appendix causes this medical condition.
The main symptom of appendicitis include severe abdominal pain, digestive problems, fever, and nausea.
Patients going under laparoscopy make recovery within few days, however it takes 2-3 weeks for resuming back to heavy works. Open appendectomy takeslonger, around 2-3 weeks of hospitalization.
