Laparoscopic Appendectomy

The appendix is a tube-like organ which is a few centimeters long. It is attached to the beginning of your large intestine, or colon.

What is appendectomy?

This is a type of surgery to remove the appendix. Removal of the appendix cures appendicitis. If appendicitis is untreated, it may rupture or burst open and cause very serious illness or even death.

Appendectomy is a common surgery and many people have had their appendix removed. One way to remove the appendix is by making one larger cut, or incision, below and to the right of your belly button. This is referred to as an open appendectomy.

Laparoscopic appendectomy removes the appendix using small incisions and will be described below.

How is a Laparoscopic Appendectomy Performed?

You will have general anesthesia for your laparoscopic appendectomy. This means that you are asleep during surgery. When surgery is finished, the surgeon closes your incisions with tiny stitches, staples, surgical tape or glue.

Once you are asleep, the surgeon makes an incision near your belly button and inserts a small device called a port. The port creates an opening that your surgeon can use to fill the abdomen with gas. This creates space to do the operation. Next, a small camera is inserted through the port. The camera shows the surgery on a screen in the operating room. Once the surgeon can see clearly, they put in more ports to insert long, narrow instruments.

Finally, they gently disconnect your appendix and take it out through one of the incisions. Most operations need 3 incisions, but this can vary from 1 (one) to 4, based on various circumstances.

Your surgeon might use a surgical robot to do your operation. It is done the same way as described above. Your doctor guides the robot instead of guiding the instruments by hand. This is commonly referred to as robotic surgery.

Your surgery team might put in a small plastic tube called a “drain” during surgery. This lets fluid drain from the surgery area while you are healing, so it does not build up and cause problems. Your doctor will take out the drain later.

If the inflammation of your appendix is more complicated, a larger incision may be necessary to complete the surgery safely. Your surgeon will make this decision during the operation.

Advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy

The results may vary depending upon the type of surgery and your general health. But the most common advantages of laparoscopic surgery are:

• Less pain after surgery
• A shorter time in the hospital
• Getting back to normal activity faster
• Having normal bowel movements sooner
• A smaller scar

Is laparoscopic appendectomy right for you?

Ask your surgeon if a laparoscopic appendectomy is the best option for you. In certain situations, you might need surgery with one (1) larger incision.

What Happens if I cannot have my Appendix removed Laparoscopically?

Some people cannot have laparoscopic appendix removal. You might have open surgery with one large incision if you are one of these people. Some reasons for having or switching to open surgery are:

• Your appendix is very inflamed or there is an abscess (a large area of bacteria buildup).
• Your appendix has perforated (burst).
• You have severe obesity – this means being extremely
• You have scar tissue in your abdomen from earlier surgery or
• The doctor cannot see your organs
• You have bleeding problems during

It is not a complication (problem) if your surgeon decides to switch to open surgery. They will switch if open surgery is the safest option for you. Your surgeon might not know this until after the laparoscopy starts. They will use their best judgment about the safest surgery for you.

What are the Possible Complications of Laparoscopic Appendectomy?

Complications of laparoscopic appendectomy do not happen often. They can include bleeding, infection in the surgery area, hernias, blood clots, and heart problems. A hernia is a hole that allows a small amount of your gut (intestine) or other tissue to bulge through the muscles that cover it.

You should also know that any surgery has the risk of hurting other body parts. This is not likely, but it is possible. Appendix surgery could hurt nearby areas such as the bladder, large intestine (colon), or small intestine. You might need another surgery if this happens.

There is a small risk of an abscess (collection of pus/bacteria) following surgery if the inflammation of the appendix is severe at the time of surgery. This may require further treatment.

Most complications from appendectomy are rare, which means they almost never happen. If you are concerned about any possible complications, ask your surgeon.