Appendix Removal Surgery in Bangalore

Appendix removal surgery is the solitarily available option of treatment for cases of appendix inflammation and pain. It is also known as Laparoscopic Appendectomy. For treating an inflamed appendix, laparoscopy under a minimally invasive surgery is a more advantageous and the primarily preferred technique by the medical specialists at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka.

What is Appendix Removal Surgery? Why is it required?

Appendix removal surgery is meant for treating appendicitis, a condition where the appendix gets inflamed. The appendix is a small, thin, worm-like pouch in continuation of the large intestine. This organ is usually 5 to 10 centimetres long, located in the lower right section of your belly button.

To this day, the actual function of the appendix in adults is still unknown. Although, in infants, it is known for boosting immunity. The removal of this organ does not lead to any harmful consequences, but it becomes necessary in case the appendix becomes inflamed. If not treated timely, an inflamed appendix can cause the organ to burst in the abdomen. This can result in the infected content leaking into the abdomen.

If you have an inflamed or infected appendix, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Severe pain in the area around the belly button and towards the right section of the abdomen
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Malaise
• Constipation or other digestive problems

These symptoms of appendix/appendicitis can be a result of the following causes:

• Bacteria or mucus stuck in the appendix
• The stool stuck in the appendix
• Foreign material, worms, or parasites present in the appendix

This is a medical emergency that can lead to further complications. Thus, specialists at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, strongly suggest immediate treatment through laparoscopy in case of an inflamed appendix.

Diagnosis & Treatment of Appendicitis

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, you must contact your medical healthcare provider to run diagnosis tests in order to know if you have appendicitis.

For diagnosis of the appendix, the following tests are usually performed:

• Ultrasound
• Physical assessment
• Blood tests to check for infection, etc.
• CT scan

In case you are diagnosed with appendicitis, the only available treatment is laparoscopic appendix removal surgery/Appendectomy. You can reach out to Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, to find the best medical care for patients with appendicitis/inflamed appendix.

The Procedure of Laparoscopic Appendectomy

Appendectomy, in simple words, is the surgery meant for the removal of the appendix in order to treat appendicitis and avoid any serious medical complications.

It is a common surgery and does not come under major surgeries. While a traditional appendectomy involves a larger incision, a laparoscopic appendectomy is the opposite of it. It allows the removal of the appendix by making smaller incisions which leave smaller scars.

Before the Surgery

The doctors might ask you not to eat for at least 8 hours before the procedure, in case it is not an emergency situation. You will be given intravenous (IV) fluids, medications, and antibiotics. You will be administered general anaesthesia before the surgery is performed, which means that you will be asleep during the appendectomy. In some cases, spinal anaesthesia may be used to numb the body from the waist below.

During the Surgery

During your laparoscopic appendix removal surgery, the surgeon will make 1 to 4 small incisions/cuts near your belly button. Through one of these incisions, your abdomen shall be inflated with carbon dioxide so that your appendix can be seen more clearly during the surgery. (In case the inflammation is more complicated, the surgeon may make a larger incision to perform the surgery safely and successfully.)

The next step involves the surgeon inserting a laparoscope (a long, thin tube that has a camera and a light at its end) through another incision. This camera will display images on a screen to help the surgeon perform the surgery. Once the surgeon can clearly locate your appendix, it is tied off using stitches and then finally removed.

After the Surgery

Once your appendix has been removed, all the incisions are cleaned, closed with stitches, and then dressed with bandages. The surgeon may place a small plastic tube known as a “drain”. This shall allow the fluids to drain from the area of surgery during your healing period so that they do not build up and lead to any further medical issues. This drain shall be removed by the surgeon before the discharge or after a few days when the doctor finds it safe to do so.

Recovery Period

Laparoscopic Appendectomy allows recovery in less period of time in comparison to open surgery. Usually, the patient shall be able to return to their normal routine and work within 1 to 3 weeks after the surgery.

Advantages of Laparoscopy for Treating Appendicitis

Laparoscopic surgery for the removal of the appendix is considered to be more beneficial for the patient since it:

• Involves small incisions that shall leave the smallest scars behind,
• Decreases the chances of infection to the lowest possible,
• This leads to less pain after the surgery,
• Allows faster recovery of the patient,
• Minimises the amount of blood loss during the surgery,
• Allows normal bowel movements sooner.

Possible Risks & Complications of Laparoscopic Appendix Removal Surgery

In very rare cases, one can experience complications after a laparoscopic removal surgery of the appendix. Although rare, complications that may come up after a laparoscopic appendectomy include:

• Bleeding
• Hernias
• Infection in the area of surgery
• Blood clots
• Heart problems
• Pus/bacteria collecting in case the inflammation

It is common knowledge that any medical surgery has certain risks entailed to it. While it is not very likely in a laparoscopic appendectomy, it is still possible that another body part, such as the small intestine, large intestine (colon) or bladder, is affected during the surgery without proper surgical technique.

As mentioned already, complications in cases of appendix removal surgery are rare. In case you wish to know more about any possible complications related to Laparoscopic Appendectomy, please reach out to Apollo Hospital, Karnataka, or your nearest healthcare provider.

With a team of highly experienced surgeons, specialists, and medical staff, Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, is the top healthcare provider for getting highly successful appendix removal surgery with the lowest risk. Our state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge medical equipment allow us to provide our patients with precise treatment & diagnostic procedures and achieve excellent outcomes.