APPENDICECTOMY
GENERAL INFORMATION
The appendix is a small appendage that hangs from
the first part of the large bowel in the right part
of your lower abdomen. It is about 12cm long and a
little thicker than a pencil. If this tube becomes
plugged and infected, appendicitis can develop. It
occurs at all ages and in both sexes.
COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- There is usually pain in the abdomen.
- Loss of appetite, nausea and sometimes vomiting is
present.
- The pain eventually becomes prominent on the right
side of the lower abdomen.
- A fever may be present.
DIAGNOSIS
- A careful history and physical examination is a
most important way to make a correct diagnosis.
- Your doctor may order an X-ray or ultrasound of
the abdomen to see whether any other abnormalities
are present.
- The diagnosis can never be made with 100 percent
certainty.
- If it is a close call, it is safer to operate than
to risk having an infected appendix rupture.
TREATMENT
The treatment for appendicitis is an operation to
remove the appendix.
OPERATION
You will be asleep for the operation.
An incision will be made in the right lower part of
your abdomen.
POST-OPERATIVE CARE
- You will be taken to a recovery room. When you are
stable you will be taken to your regular hospital
room.
- The pain will be controlled with medicine.
- Your doctor will decide when you may take fluid
and food by mouth. This may be very soon after the
operation.
- You should be able to go home in 1 - 3 days
depending on how seriously your appendix was
infected. On discharge arrangements will be made by
your doctor for a follow up and removal of the
stitches if necessary.
HOME CARE
- You may walk about, even climb stairs but don't
overdo things.
- You will usually be able to eat normally once you
have been discharged.
- Your doctor would have discussed the management of
your dressings.
- Your incision may be uncomfortable for a few days.
- Your doctor will have discussed with you when you
may drive a car.
- Your doctor will discuss with you when you may
return to work.
COMPLICATIONS
1. Complications do occasionally occur after an
APPENDICECTOMY. It is important for you to remember
that this is a major abdominal operation.
2. An infection of the skin wound frequently occurs.
3. Occasionally an intra-abdominal abscess or even
peritonitis occurs after an appendicectomy. Your
doctor will decide whether this necessitates further
surgery.
4. As this is an intra-abdominal operation,
intra-abdominal organs may be damaged. This happens
very rarely.
5. An incisional hernia can develop at the site of
the appendicectomy incision, this occasionally
occurs especially when there has been a wound
infection.
6. Systemic complications like venous thrombosis and
pulmonary embolism are rare but possible after any
operation or anaesthetic.
pil-appendicectomy.doc/ver2/8 December 2002
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