Appendix Surgery

The classic symptoms of appendicitis include:

• Sharp pain in the lower right abdomen, which may begin as a dull ache around the navel and becomes more sharp and localised to the lower-right side
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fever (usually low-grade) and chills
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Abdominal bloating
• Rebound tenderness (pain upon removal of pressure rather than application of pressure)

Appendicitis is often diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. Tests used to confirm the diagnosis or to rule out other conditions may include:

• Physical Exam: Checking for tenderness in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.
• Blood Test: Looking for an elevated white blood cell count, signalling infection.
• Urine Test: Ensuring that a urinary tract infection or kidney stone is not causing the pain.
• Imaging Tests: Abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to confirm appendicitis or find other causes for pain.

Non-Surgical Treatment:

In cases of mild appendicitis, where the appendix has not ruptured, treatment may involve antibiotics and a liquid or soft diet until the inflammation subsides. However, this approach is still somewhat controversial, and surgery remains the standard treatment to prevent complications.

Surgical Treatment:

The primary treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the appendix. The types of surgery include:

• Laparoscopic Appendectomy: A minimally invasive procedure using several small incisions and a camera to guide the surgery. This method typically has a faster recovery, less pain, and fewer complications.
• Open Appendectomy: A traditional method involving an incision in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen through which the appendix is removed.

If appendicitis is treated promptly, the prognosis after surgery is usually very good. Complications can arise if appendicitis goes untreated, leading to a ruptured appendix and peritonitis, which is a severe abdominal infection requiring more extensive surgery and treatment.

Recovery from an appendectomy varies depending on the surgical method:

• Laparoscopic Appendectomy: Often allows for discharge from the hospital within 1-2 days and a quicker return to normal activities, usually within a few weeks.
• Open Appendectomy: A longer hospital stay and recovery period may be needed, compared to that of laparoscopic surgery. Patients may need to limit physical activity for several weeks.

• Infection at the incision site or within the abdomen
• Injury to nearby organs
• Blood clots
• Bleeding
• Risk of hernia, more common in open appendectomy

• Monitoring for signs of infection at the incision sites
• Gradual increase in activity as tolerated
• Pain management, usually with medication
• Follow-up with the surgeon to ensure appropriate healing