What is Appendectomy?
Appendectomy is a surgical procedure to treat appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix- a small, worm-like organ located at the junction of the small and large intestines. Appendectomy is one of the most common causes of emergency surgery. It can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough but left untreated, appendicitis can cause your appendix to burst. This can cause bacteria to spill into your abdominal cavity, which can be serious and sometimes fatal.
The cause of appendicitis is not fully understood, but it may be caused by a blockage in the appendix that prevents waste from passing out of the body. Bacteria can also accumulate and cause inflammation and infection.
What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
- Abdominal pain or tenderness that hurts more when you cough, sneeze, inhale or move
- Swollen belly
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Inability to pass gas
- Loss of appetite (not feeling hungry when you usually would)
- Low-grade fever (below 100 degrees F)
- Nausea and vomiting.
How does appendicitis feel? Someone who has a sudden onset of pain in the lower right abdomen. However, in most people, pain begins around the navel and then moves to the lower right abdomen. Most people with appendicitis are good candidates for appendectomy. However, people with other health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes may be at higher risk for complications and may need more specialized care.
Consultation and procedure:
If you are suspected of having appendicitis, you will likely undergo a physical examination to check for tenderness in the lower right part of your abdomen and swelling. Depending on the results of your physical exam, your doctor may order one or more tests to check for signs of appendicitis or rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.
There’s no single test available to diagnose appendicitis. If your doctor can’t identify any other causes of your symptoms, they may diagnose the cause as appendicitis.
Recovery and results:
Like any surgery, there are some risks associated with appendectomy. However, the risks of appendectomy are smaller than the risks of untreated appendicitis.
Recovery from surgery to remove the appendix typically takes several weeks. Most people make a full recovery with no long-term complications.
Get Your Surgery at Gwinnett Surgical Specialists
Have one of our surgeons at Gwinnett Surgical Specialists, Lawrenceville, Georgia, talk to you about which type of minimally invasive surgery may be best for your surgical needs. Please call us at 770-962-9977 and schedule an appointment.