There are two main surgical techniques which include “open appendectomy” and “laparoscopic appendectomy”.
Open appendectomy:
- An incision or cut will be made in the lower right part of your belly. The incision is made through the skin, then the underlying tissue, and finally the wall of the abdomen in order to reach the appendix.
- Then your abdominal muscles are separated, and the abdominal area will be opened.
- If you have any pus in the area, it is then aspirated, and the area is washed. The appendix is then removed.
- If you have a ruptured or burst appendix, your belly will be washed out with saline.
- Sutures will be placed to close the hole in the intestine.
Laparoscopic appendectomy:
- Laparoscopic appendectomy is a technique that involves more than one tiny incision in the abdomen through which the instruments are inserted.
- CO2 (Carbon dioxide gas) is gently pumped into the abdomen to swell it up so that your appendix and the other organs are easily seen.
- The laparoscope then is inserted into your appendix and it is removed with an incision.
- When the surgery is over, the instruments will be removed. CO2 gas will be let out through the cuts, and a small tube may be placed to drain the fluids.
After completing the procedure, sutures will be placed followed by a sterile dressing to cover the wound.
What to expect before surgery?
- Your doctor will first do a routine checkup, and the doctor will explain the surgery to you.
- Next, you'll be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to the doctor to do the surgery.
- You will be enquired about your past health, for which you might also be asked for your blood tests or any diagnostic tests.
- Your doctor may ask if you are under any medications for underlying diseases like diabetes, hypertension, etc.
- You must not drink or eat anything at least 6 hours before surgery.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or allergic to anaesthesia or latex.
- A sedative will be given to relax before the procedure
- What to expect on the day of surgery?
- You will be asked to stop eating or drinking depending on the results of pre-admission assessment.
- Before the surgery is carried out, you must remove your ornaments and change your clothes.
- Surgical site preparation like shaving your hair in that particular area will be done.
- An anaesthetic will be given to you before the surgery so that you won’t feel any pain during the whole procedure.
- What to expect during open appendectomy surgery?
- Depending upon your condition, you will either have an open appendectomy or laparoscopic appendectomy.
- In most cases, open appendectomy requires a hospital stay.
- You will be given an anaesthetic that can either be general anaesthetic or a spinal/epidural anaesthetic, but general anaesthesia is given in most cases.
- You'll be provided a gown to wear during the surgery.
- To help you breathe, a tube will be put down your throat. Then, the anaesthesiologist will check your blood pressure, pulse rate, heart rate, and blood oxygen level during the surgery.
- Medications during the surgery will be given to you through the IV route.