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. This is usually below and to the right of your belly button.
You probably know that the appendix can become inflamed. If the appendix needs to be removed, you can live without your appendix and not develop any long term issues. 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. 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. 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. You'll also be encouraged to get up and walk a few hours after laparoscopic surgery. Once you reach these milestones, you'll be discharged with instructions on how to care for your incisions.
For the first few days after a laparoscopic appendectomy, you may experience abdominal pain from the carbon dioxide gas still in your belly. Sipping warm water with lemon or peppermint tea can help relieve the gas, as can moving your legs and torso around e. Movement encourages peristalsis in the bowels, which helps release trapped gas.
An open surgical procedure will take longer to recover from and you may be in the hospital for a few days. You'll be connected to an IV for fluids and medication for at least the first night. A thin plastic tube that goes through your nose into your stomach may be used to remove stomach fluids and air that you swallow. It will be removed when your bowels are working normally. You won't be able to eat or drink until the tube is removed.
At that point, you can start with small sips of clear fluid. If that goes well, you'll progress to soft foods and, finally, a regular diet. You'll be encouraged to get up and walk the morning after surgery and continue getting out of bed several times each day before you're discharged.
You may need pain medication when you first get out of bed because your abdominal muscles have been cut and will take time to heal. Upon leaving the hospital, you'll get instructions on how to manage your pain and possibly a prescription for opioid painkillers, such as OxyContin oxycodone or Percocet oxycodone with acetaminophen.
While opioids are very effective pain relievers, they're addictive and should only be when necessary. Opioid side effects can also be significant and include:. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Tylenol acetaminophen and Advil ibuprofen can also be used to treat post-surgical pain.
For many, these are sufficient. Many healthcare providers recommend alternating between the two. Note: Percocet also contains acetaminophen and should not be taken with other sources of acetaminophen such as Tylenol as liver damage can occur. Your healthcare provider will provide instructions on caring for your incision keeping it clean and dry and bathing. If your incisions are being held closed with Steri-Strips, be sure to also keep them dry until they fall off typically within a few days or are removed by your healthcare provider.
If you got stitches, they will be removed at your follow-up appointment. Regardless of the type of appendectomy you had, your healthcare provider will advise you to watch out for signs of infection and other problems. Call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:. You'll need to take it easy a few days after surgery. Most people can resume normal activities after about a week or sooner with laparoscopic surgery , but you'll be advised to refrain from strenuous activity and exercise for a week or more.
Follow all of your healthcare provider's instructions. An appendectomy is one of the most common emergency procedures, with more than , performed in the United States each year. Research shows both open and laparoscopic appendectomies have low rates of long-term surgical complications.
As long as you follow your healthcare provider's instructions to take it slow and ease into strenuous activity, odds are good you will make a full recovery and be back to your old activities soon.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. National Library of Medicine: MelinePlus. Updated March 18, Guidelines for laparoscopic appendectomy. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Updated April 9, American College of Surgeons. Updated John Hopkins Medicine. Same-day discharge in laparoscopic acute non-perforated appendectomy. J Am Coll Surg. Mayo Clinic. Pain medications after surgery. Updated February 22, Updated April 20, Long-term complications of appendectomy: A systematic review.
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Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis To help diagnose appendicitis, your doctor will likely take a history of your signs and symptoms and examine your abdomen.
Tests and procedures used to diagnose appendicitis include: Physical exam to assess your pain. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Appendicitis. Accessed May 4, Appendectomy: Surgical removal of the appendix. American College of Surgeons. Martin RF. Acute appendicitis in adults: Clinical manifestations and differential diagnosis. Smink D, et al. Management of acute appendicitis in adults.
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