Appendicectomy
This webpage will give you information about an
appendicectomy. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP
or other relevant health professional.
What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis means
inflammation of the appendix (see figure 1).
When the appendix is inflamed it causes pain and makes you feel
unwell.
Figure 1: The appendix and its position in relation to the
Small and large bowel
What are the benefits of surgery?
You will no longer get appendicitis. Surgery should prevent you
from having serious complications that appendicitis can cause.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Antibiotics can be used to treat inflammation or an abscess, but
only if you are well enough. If an abscess continues or if you
become unwell even with antibiotics, you will need an
operation.
What does the operation involve?
An appendicectomy is usually performed under a general
anaesthetic.
Your surgeon will remove the appendix either by using the
laparoscopic (‘keyhole’) technique or by an open cut in the
abdomen.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Unsightly scarring
- Blood clots
- Infection in the surgical wound
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Incorrect diagnosis
- Developing an abscess
- Difficulty passing urine
- Vomiting
- Developing a leak
- Obstruction of the bowel
- Pylephlebitis
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home three to five days after an
operation for simple appendicitis or about a week following a burst
appendix.
You should be able to return to work after about four weeks,
depending on the extent of surgery and your type of work.
Summary
Appendicitis is a common condition where the appendix becomes
inflamed. Surgery should prevent you from having serious
complications that appendicitis can cause.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Ayan Banerjea MRCS and Mr Simon Parsons DM FRCS (Gen.
Surg.)
Illustrations: LifeART image copyright 2006 Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins. All rights reserved.
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is
produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the information belong
exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any
of the information other than for your personal, non-commercial
use.
The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment
- Ashtead, Surrey, Ashtead Hospital
- Bingley, Yorkshire Clinic
- Caterham, North Downs Hospital
- Chelmsford, Springfield Hospital
- Chorley, Euxton Hall Hospital
- Colchester, Oaks Hospital
- Doncaster, Park Hill Hospital
- Gloucester, Winfield Hospital
- Halesowen, West Midlands Hospital
- Hitchin, Pinehill Hospital
- Kettering, Woodand Hospital
- Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Hospital
- Ormskirk, Renacres Hospital
- Orpington, Bromley Private Patient Unit
- Peterborough, Fitzwilliam Hospital
- Preston, Fulwood hospital
- Reading, Berkshire Independent Hospital
- Salford, Oaklands Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Hospital
- Sawbridgeworth, Rivers Hospital
- Stafford, Rowley Hospital
- Torquay, Mount Stuart Hospital
- Truro, Duchy Hospital