General Surgery

Appendectomy Treatment

Appendectomy

Appendectomy is a surgical process performed for the removal of the appendix from the abdomen. It can be done either with the help of a small cut on the abdomen or laparoscopically. Acute appendicitis is usually a surgical emergency with a lifetime incidence of 6%. Treatment of acute appendicitis is an appendectomy.

Introduction

Appendectomy is a surgical process performed for the removal of the appendix from the abdomen. It can be done either with the help of a small cut on the abdomen or laparoscopically. Acute appendicitis is usually a surgical emergency with a lifetime incidence of 6%. Treatment of acute appendicitis is an appendectomy. Other reasons for appendectomy are appendix mass, the tumor of the appendix, and suspicion of acute appendicitis. Laparoscopy is generally used when the diagnosis is in doubt, or it leaves a less visible surgical scar, which is preferred by the patients. Recovery may be slightly faster after the laparoscopic surgical procedure, although the laparoscopic surgical procedure itself is more expensive and resource-intensive as compared to the open surgery and generally takes a longer time. Advanced pelvic sepsis sometimes needs a lower midline laparotomy.

Preparing for the Surgery:

An appendectomy is generally an emergency procedure, so there is usually little time for the preparation for the surgery.

However, a patient will be able to complete some of the following steps before their surgery:Page Image

The patients must avoid eating for at least 8 hours prior to their surgery. By avoiding the food the risk of aspiration is greatly reduced, in which the contents of the stomach enter the lungs, and other complications arise. An empty stomach can also make it easier for the surgeon to view the abdominal cavity. The patients must avoid taking certain medications before their surgery as the medical team advises.

When is an appendectomy required?

When the appendix becomes infected, it can result in a painful condition known as appendicitis. Doctors believe that appendicitis to be a medical emergency because the appendix can either burst or rupture thus results in the infectious contents to penetrate in the abdominal cavity. Removing the appendix before it ruptures holds vital importance in preventing any complications. Surgery for the removal of the appendix is called appendectomy. Appendicitis can result in abdominal pain, often in the region of the bellybutton. The pain may also reach to the lower right section of the abdomen.

Additional signs and symptoms that indicate appendicitis may include the following:

  • Appetite Loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Frequent Urination
  • Nausea
  • Painful Urination
  • Vomiting

If the appendix bursts, it is seen that the person will also have a high fever and severe pain in their abdominal area. Surgery is generally the most common treatment for appendicitis. While an individual may take antibiotics for reducing the incidence of infection, doctors often recommend healthy people to have an appendectomy for avoiding the appendix rupturing at a later stage.

How Is an Appendectomy Performed?

Appendectomy is of two types: open and laparoscopic. The type of surgery the doctor chooses generally depends on several factors, including the severity of the patient’s appendicitis and their medical history.

Open Appendectomy:

During an open appendectomy, a surgeon makes one cut in the patient’s lower right side of the abdomen. The patient’s appendix is being removed and the wound is being closed with the help of the stitches. This surgery allows the doctor to clean the abdominal cavity if the patient’s appendix has burst. The doctor may choose an open appendectomy if the patient’s appendix has been ruptured and the infection has been spread to other organs of the body. It’s also the best choice for patients who have had abdominal surgery in the past.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy:

During a laparoscopic appendectomy, a surgeon accesses the appendix with the help of a few small cuts in the patient’s abdomen. A small, narrow tube known as a cannula will then be inserted. The cannula is used for inflating the patient’s abdomen with the carbon dioxide gas. This gas allows the surgeon to view the patient’s appendix more clearly. Once the abdomen is being inflated, an instrument is known as a laparoscope which is long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and high-resolution camera at the front is used which will be entered through the cuts. The camera on the laparoscopy will display the images on a screen, thus allowing the surgeon to view the inside of the patient’s abdomen and thus guiding the instruments. When the appendix is found, it will be tied off with the help of stitches and is removed. The small cuts are then closed, dressed, and cleaned. Laparoscopic surgery is generally the preferred option for older adults and people who are overweight. It has fewer risks than an open appendectomy surgery and usually has shorter recovery time.

Pregnancy:

If appendicitis is being developed in a pregnant woman, an appendectomy is generally performed and that should not cause any harm to the fetus. The risk of premature delivery due to appendectomy is about 10%. The risk of fetal death in the perioperative period after an appendectomy for early acute appendicitis is close to 5%. The risk of fetal death in perforated appendicitis is close to 20%.

Benefits of the Surgery:

The patients will no longer get appendicitis. Surgery should prevent the patients from having any serious complications that can be resulted due to appendicitis.

Alternatives to the Surgery:

Antibiotics can be used for treating an abscess or an inflammation, but only if the patients are well enough. If an abscess continues or if the patients become unwell even with the use of the antibiotics, an operation might be required by the patients.

How soon will I recover?

Recovery time from the surgery varies from patient to patient. Some of the patients take up to three weeks before being completely active; for others, it is only a matter of days. In the case of laparoscopic surgery, the patients have three stapled scars which are about an inch longer in length, between the navel and pubic hairline. When an open appendectomy has been done, the patients have a 2 to 3-inch scar, which will be heavily bruised initially.

India has become a major international destination for medical tourism, providing top-notch medical care at a far lower cost than in Western nations. One of the most popular treatments that patients from other countries seek out is appendix surgery also known as appendectomy.

About appendectomy treatment

The surgical procedure known as an appendectomy, or appendicectomy, involves the removal of the vermiform appendix, which is a section of the intestine.This is a frequently done emergency surgery to treat appendicitis, an inflammatory disease. An appendectomy can be done openly or laparoscopically, which is a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Our large intestine is connected to a small, tube-shaped pouch called the appendix. It is situated at the abdomen's lower right side. It's unclear what the appendix's precise function is. On the other hand, it's thought to aid in our recovery from intestinal infections, inflammation, and diarrhea. The body can still operate normally without an appendix.

Appendectomy reasons

  • The main cause of an appendectomy is appendicitis which is inflammation of the appendix. This condition can lead a patient to experience severe upper abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting. 
  • If the case is left like this, then it will result in an appendix rupture and this brings in more complications. 
  • In the majority of the patients, an emergency appendectomy is done to prevent conditions like infection and sepsis. 
  • Other reasons for appendectomy include: abscess formation, or tumor formation in a few cases.

Appendectomy Ruptured Appendix

A ruptured appendix is a medical emergency that should be repaired surgically as soon as possible. If the appendix becomes inflamed and then ruptures, putrid bacteria may pour into the abdominal cavity resulting in peritonitis, a condition that can be fatal. In these cases, an emergency appendectomy has to be operated to remove the ruptured appendix and to wash off the infection from the area, so as to avoid further issues. Most often a ruptured appendix recovery process takes longer and may require antibiotics to clear any infections..

Types of appendectomy

The surgeon will use one of the two commonly used types of appendectomy once he is ready to start the procedure.

They are as follows:

  • Open appendectomy: It is more of a "conventional" approach to getting rid of the diseased appendix. In order to locate the inflamed appendix, the surgeon will create an incision in the abdomen. After that, the inflamed appendix is cut out of the large intestine and removed. Stitches are used to assist the incision site closure.
  • Laparoscopic appendectomy: During this surgical operation, a tiny video camera known as a laparoscope is used to let surgeons see within the body. A small incision is made and the surgeon inserts the narrow tube holding the laparoscope into the appendix. There are other incisions made specifically to transport medical equipment to the site. A TV monitor is used to help throughout the entire procedure.

Procedure of Laparoscopic appendectomy

  • During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the surgeon makes four incisions, each measuring about 1 in (2.5 cm). 
  • There are two incisions: one between the umbilicus and the pubis, and the other near the umbilicus, or navel. 
  • The right side of the lower abdomen has two additional, smaller incisions. 
  • After that, the surgeon makes these incisions with specialized tools and a camera.
  • The surgeon uses this camera to visually inspect the abdominal organs and locate the appendix. 
  • Then the appendix is extracted and freed of all attachments. 
  • The cecum, the area where the appendix was attached, is sewn. One of the incisions is used to remove the appendix. 
  • After removing the equipment, all of the incisions are sealed.

Complicated appendectomy

There are situations where direct appendectomy is more challenging because of the situation or the existence of an abscess or perforation or serious inflammation. Complicated appendectomy makes the use of intricate methods in and may take time to heal as compared to the simple appendectomy. Specialized surgeons in India backed by hi-tech technology and infrastructure successfully perform such surgeries including ones involving critical cases most of the time.

Why choose India for surgical appendectomy?

India has emerged as one of the most popular medical tourism destinations. Here are a few explanations for this:

  • Affordability: appendectomy surgery in India is substantially less expensive than in other nations, as the above cost breakdown illustrates.
  • Care Quality: Indian hospitals, especially those in major cities, offer care that meets worldwide standards because of their cutting-edge facilities and technology.
  • Surgeons with Experience: A large number of surgeons in India have received training abroad and have a proven track record of success.
  • Support for Medical Tourism: Hospitals frequently provide all-inclusive packages that include lodging, pre- and post-operative consultations, and help obtaining a visa.

Factors affecting the cost of appendectomy in India

The following are some of the main variables that may have an impact on the appendix surgery cost in India:

  • Hospital and Location: A hospital's location can also affect the cost; in general, larger cities will cost more than smaller or rural regions.
  • Hospital Type: Depending on whether you select a basic, mid-range, or premium hospital, the price will change. Because they offer greater amenities and services, premium hospitals frequently charge more.
  • Surgeon's Fees: A surgeon's experience and standing can have a big impact on how much the procedure costs. Surgeons with extensive experience could charge more for their services.
  • Type of Surgery: Laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery necessitates certain tools and training, it is frequently more expensive than open surgery.
  • Hospital Stay: The total cost of your surgery will depend on your duration of your stay in the hospital.
  • Diagnostic Tests: You might require blood tests, imaging (CT scans, ultrasounds), and consultations with specialists prior to surgery. These examinations may raise the overall price.
  • Anesthesia: The kind of anesthesia utilized during the procedure may have an impact on the overall expense. 
  • Medication costs: The price of prescription drugs, both before and after may have an impact on overall cost.

Best hospitals for appendectomy surgery in India

  • Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
  • Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram
  • Artemis Hospital, Gurugram
  • Max Hospital, Delhi
  • Apollo Hospitals, Delhi
  • ​BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi

Best surgeons for appendectomy operation in India

  • Dr. Amit Javed
  • Dr. Adarsh Choudhary
  • Dr. ​ Paritosh S Gupta​​
  • Dr. ​Pradeep Chowbey
  • Dr. Deepak Govil
  • Dr. Deep Goel

FAQ

1. What is the duration of hospitalization following appendix surgery?

  • An open appendectomy often requires a two- or three-day hospital stay. Because a laparoscopic appendectomy is a minimally invasive treatment, the length of stay is typically less—between one and two days.

2. How long does it take to recover from an appendectomy?

  • After one to three weeks, if the patient has laparoscopic surgery, they should be able to resume their regular activities. It should take two to four weeks if they undergo open surgery. They'll get a drain in a separate incision if their appendix is injured.

3. What makes having my appendix surgically removed in India a good idea?

  • India provides excellent healthcare at a significantly lower cost than other Western nations. India's hospitals are furnished with cutting-edge medical equipment, skilled doctors, and quick turnaround times. High standards of care are also guaranteed by the international accreditation of numerous Indian hospitals.

4. How can I choose a hospital and physician for appendectomy in India?

  • We will assist you in getting expert advice and the best treatment from a panel of specialists. You can contact us via phone at +91-9289678787 or email us at care@getwellgo.com

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