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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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 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.
