While appendicitis is common in teens and those in their early 20s, it can develop at any age. The board-certified surgeons at the Center for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery in Peoria, Arizona, offer laparoscopic and other surgical techniques to safely remove your appendix and prevent life-threatening medical complications. Never ignore the warning signs of an appendix infection; call the office or schedule a consultation online today.
What is an appendectomy?
An appendectomy is a surgical procedure to safely remove your appendix, a small pouch attached to your large intestine on the lower right side of your abdomen.
The job of the appendix isn’t well understood but it may help in your recovery from digestive disorders, like diarrhea or if you develop inflammation or an infection in your intestines.
Inflammation and infection can also affect your appendix, causing a buildup of pus that causes abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Why would I need an appendectomy?
An active infection in the appendix, known as appendicitis, can lead to serious health complications if not treated properly. In the event your appendix bursts, it can spread bacteria and other toxins into your abdominal cavity, which can cause life-threatening illness.
Signs of a possible appendix infection include stomach pain starting near your belly button that spreads into the lower right side of your abdomen. You may also have:
- Low-grade fever
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal swelling
- Constipation or diarrhea
The standard procedure for treating an infected appendix is a surgical appendectomy to remove it before the appendix ruptures. If you believe a rupture has occurred, go to the nearest emergency room for immediate medical treatment.
Your body continues to function normally without an appendix in the event it has to be removed.
What can I expect during an appendectomy?
Your surgeon at the Center for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery provides sedation before your procedure to keep you comfortable and pain-free. In many cases, surgery takes 60 minutes or less, unless your appendix has already burst.
Your surgeon determines which type of surgery you need based on your condition and existing health. In some cases, they may need to perform open surgery, making one incision in your lower right side to access the appendix. This incision needs to be larger if the appendix has already ruptured.
However, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is also possible for an appendectomy. This involves the insertion of a laparoscope, a thin tube with an attached camera. Your CMIRS surgeon needs to make only small incisions to reach your appendix, and the camera then sends back images of your internal structures to an external monitor that your surgeon watches to perform the appendectomy.
Laparoscopic techniques are less traumatic on the body and reduce your risk for scarring. This type of minimally invasive surgery also ensures you heal faster and can get back to your usual activities sooner.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of an infected appendix, don’t delay treatment. Schedule a consultation for an appendectomy by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.