Guide To Appendicitis Treatment And Recovery

Appendectomy

An appendectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the appendix. The procedure can help prevent potential complications from appendicitis, including a rupture or the formation of an abscess. Depending on the patient's condition, an appendectomy may be performed as an emergency procedure in a hospital, or it might be done at a scheduled time at an outpatient facility. Most patients receive general anesthesia for the operation, and it can be performed using either open or laparoscopic methods. In the open method, doctors make a single incision in the lower right side of the abdomen. They remove the appendix, and they may clean the abdominal cavity if needed. Then, the wound is closed with stitches. Open surgery is necessary for patients who have a ruptured appendix that has spread the infection to surrounding organs. Doctors also prefer to use the open technique if a patient has had previous abdominal surgery. A laparoscopic approach is especially beneficial for overweight individuals and older adults. This procedure allows the doctor to visualize and access the appendix via a camera and other instruments inserted into several small incisions in the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery typically offers a faster recovery time and a lower risk of complications compared to an open procedure.