Appendectomy (appendectomy): procedures, risks, etc.

Appendicitis (appendicitis) is a disease that attacks the digestive system. In most cases, this disease can be treated with antibiotics. If a relapse returns, appendectomy (appendectomy) is the right way to deal with it.

What is an appendectomy (appendectomy)?

Appendix surgery is a surgical operation to remove the problematic appendix. The appendix is ​​a small, tube-shaped bag attached to the large intestine, located on the lower right side of the stomach.

Appendectomy has been the mainstay of treatment for acute appendicitis since 1889. Appendectomy is an emergency surgical procedure. Your doctor may recommend this surgery if your condition does not improve, or when it gets worse after treatment.

So far, the appendix is ​​known to accelerate the recovery of diarrhea, inflammation, and infections of the small and large intestines. However, the body can still function normally if the appendix is ​​removed or removed.

What causes the appendix to be removed?

Most patients with appendicitis should undergo an appendectomy, especially if the appendicitis has ruptured or an abscess has formed.

Please note, the causes of inflamed appendicitis include obstruction from foreign objects or dirt. This blockage eventually becomes an ideal place for bacteria to multiply, causing infection and the formation of a pocket of pus (abscess).

A blocked and inflamed appendix can cause pain in the lower right side of the stomach, stomach pain when coughing or walking. Other accompanying symptoms of appendicitis are fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

If not removed immediately, a swollen or infected appendix can rupture and cause more severe complications.

Without surgical intervention, a ruptured appendix is ​​at risk of causing perforation (perforation) of the intestine. Bowel perforation is a condition that can be life threatening.

What is an appendectomy like?

There are two options for the appendectomy (appendectomy) method. The first is an open appendectomy which is the standard procedure for removing the appendix.

Then, there is laparoscopic appendectomy as an alternative to newer, less risky surgical procedures. For more details, let's discuss appendectomy options one by one.

Open appendectomy (open appendectomy surgery)

This operation is performed by making an incision in the lower right side of your abdomen. The cut or incision is generally 4 - 10 centimeters (cm) long.

Previously, you would first be under general anesthesia so you don't feel any pain. During the operation, you will fall asleep aka unconscious.

After you are unconscious and an incision is made, the surgeon will cut the appendix that was attached to the colon and removed it from the body. The cut marks will then be sutured with special medical staples and the incisions will also be sutured closed.

During surgery, the doctor will also clean your abdominal cavity if the appendix has ruptured and the infection has spread to other organs.

Laparoscopic appendectomy (laparoscopic appendectomy)

Just like open appendicectomy, you will also be sedated first so you don't feel pain. After that, the doctor starts the operation by making 1-3 small incisions in your lower right abdomen.

One of these incisions will provide the entry point for the laparoscopic tube. It is equipped with a special medical knife and a small video camera.

Using a camera attached to the laparoscopy, the surgeon can track the location of the appendix and monitor the contents of your stomach on a TV screen.

Later, the doctor will tie and cut the appendix which will be removed through a laparoscopic instrument. Afterward, the incision will be closed with staples or stitches.

During the laparoscopy process, the doctor may decide to perform an open appendectomy if necessary. Usually this is done when your appendix has ruptured and the infection has spread to other organs in the body.

Examinations and preparations before appendectomy

As with any medical procedure, you need to check with your doctor before having surgery. The examination and consultation aims to determine whether the appendicitis needs surgery or not, and if so, when it should be done.

During the consultation, the doctor will ask about your medical history and perform several physical examinations. During the examination, the doctor will usually press on the lower right abdomen to determine the source of your abdominal pain.

The doctor can also run blood tests and ultrasound (ultrasound) to make sure the symptoms are due to appendicitis. If the decision is surgery, you may be advised to undergo an anesthetic allergy test before the schedule is formalized.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, have certain drug allergies, or are currently using other drugs (prescription, non-prescription, herbs, vitamins, herbal medicine, etc.).

You will then be required to fast from food and drink for at least 8 hours before the appendectomy is performed. Fasting is done to reduce the risk of aspiration, a condition where stomach contents enter the lungs. An empty stomach also makes it easier for the doctor to see the abdominal cavity.

What are the risks of appendectomy?

The risk of complications from appendectomy is generally low. Some of the possible risks that can occur after surgery are:

• bleeding,
  
• infection in the organs around the appendix or in the suture wound, as well
  
• blockage of the colon.
  

If you want to have surgery with less risk of complications and injury after surgery, then you can choose laparoscopic appendectomy. The duration of hospitalization, healing time, and the risk of infection are also less than that of open surgery.

However, the type of surgery still has to be determined by your condition. If the appendix has become infected or ruptured, usually an open appendectomy will be performed.

Care and recovery after surgery

Immediately after the operation, you will be taken to a recovery room. The doctor will monitor vital organs such as your heart rate and breathing. Once your blood pressure, pulse and breathing are stable, you will be transferred to a normal inpatient room.

Recovery time for each person after surgery is different. This depends on the condition, the severity of the infection, and whether or not the appendix has ruptured. According to the American College of Surgeons, if the appendix does not rupture, patients can usually go home within 1-2 days of surgery.

A few hours after surgery, you may be allowed to drink fluids. After that, you may also be allowed to eat solid foods, learn to sit down, and walk slowly back up.

You may need to be hospitalized longer if the appendix is ​​so infected that it ruptures. The doctor will prescribe you a strong dose of antibiotics while continuing to monitor your condition for any signs of complications.

During the appendectomy recovery period, the doctor will provide a list of what to do and not to do after surgery.

Usually you will be prohibited from doing strenuous activities such as the gym or lifting heavy objects. The activity ban usually lasts for up to 14 days after the appendectomy is complete.

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