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?
Surgery removes the inflamed appendix and allows infected pus to
be washed out. The aim of surgery is to make your child better and
to prevent the serious complications appendicitis can cause.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
If your child has severe appendicitis, there is no alternative
to surgery. Your surgeon may recommend a course of antibiotics to
help an inflamed appendix to settle. Your child may still need an
appendicectomy and this will usually be arranged up to three months
later. If your child has an abscess, your surgeon may need to
perform an operation to remove the pus. Your child may still need
an appendicectomy and this will usually be arranged up to three
months later.
What does the operation involve?
Your child will need a general anaesthetic. The operation
usually takes between one and two hours.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
- Infection in the surgical wound
2 Specific complications of this operation
a. Laparoscopic complications
- Damage to internal organs
- Developing a hernia near one of the cuts
- Surgical emphysema
b. Appendicectomy complications
- Incorrect diagnosis
- Developing an abscess
- Vomiting
- Developing a leak or an abnormal connection to the skin
- Developing a leak into the abdominal cavity
- Obstruction of the bowel
- Pylephlebitis
How soon will my child 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.
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The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.