Condition
What Is an Appendix?
What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Who is at Risk?
Appendectomy has several benefits, such as: 1. Eliminates the source of infection and inflammation 2. Relieves you from appendix pain 3. Prevents potentially life-threatening complications like peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining) and abscess formation 4. Short hospitalisation and quick recovery 5. Zero risk of future appendicitis 6. Stops the infection from spreading to other abdominal areas However, it comes with certain risks as well, including: 1. Infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves 2. Postoperative pain at the incision site 3. Open appendectomy results in a noticeable scar 4. Allergic reactions to surgery medications or have anaesthesia-related complications 5. Stump appendicitis
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Enhanced Quality of Care
End-to-End Management
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Lower Costs and easy financing support
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What Causes Appendicitis?
The following reasons might cause the appendix to get swollen and infected- 1. Hardened faecal matter (also known as fecaliths or appendix stones) might get stuck near the opening of the appendix, trapping the bacteria inside the organ and transmitting the bacteria it was carrying 2. Lymphoid hyperplasia, caused by swollen lymphoid tissue in the appendix 3. Cystic fibrosis, which results in a thick, sticky mucus buildup in the organs 4. Colitis, which is an inflammatory bowel disease 5. Parasites 6. 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. 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.
