Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Appendectomy—Laparoscopic Surgery

by Editorial Staff and Contributors

Click here to view an animated version of this procedure.

Definition

An appendectomy is the removal of the appendix. The appendix is a small, blind-ended tube that is attached to the large intestine.

Reasons for Procedure

An appendectomy is most often done as an emergency operation to treat appendicitis. Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. It can be caused by an infection or obstruction.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an appendectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Damage to other organs
  • Infection
  • Reaction to anesthesia

Some risk factors that make complications more likely include:

What to Expect
Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

  • Physical exam
  • Blood and urine tests
  • CT scan—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body
  • Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to find the appendix and other organs
  • X-rays—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of the inside of the body

Antibiotics will be started right away. Since appendicitis is an emergency condition, surgery is almost always done right away.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep, with a temporary breathing tube in place.

Description of the Procedure

Three small incisions will be made in your abdomen. A laparoscope (small tool with a camera on the end) will be passed through an incision. Gas will be blown into your abdomen to make it easier for the doctor to see. Other tools will be inserted into the incisions. The camera will send images of your insides to a video screen. The doctor will use these images to find and remove the appendix.

The appendix will be detached from surrounding tissue. The doctor will stop any bleeding from blood vessels. The appendix will then be tied off and cut out. A stapler will be used to cut the appendix out. The incisions will be closed with stitches or staples.

After Procedure

The removed tissue is examined by a pathologist.

How Long Will It Take?

1-2 hours

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. You may be given medicine to manage any pain.

Average Hospital Stay

You may go home on the same day, as long as there are no complications.

Post-procedure Care
At the Hospital

You will be asked to get out of bed about six hours after surgery.

At Home

Recovery takes about 1-2 weeks.

When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

  • Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
  • Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.
  • Do not exercise or do heavy lifting for one or more weeks as directed by your doctor.
  • Gradually increase activities as approved by your doctor.
  • Keep the incision area clean and dry.
  • Rest, and take it easy for 1-2 weeks.
  • Wash your hands before changing the dressing.
  • You may be given antibiotics to fight infection. Take all the medicines your doctor gives you, even if you start to feel better.
  • You may resume your normal preoperative diet as soon as possible.
Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

  • Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
  • Fainting or dizziness
  • Increased abdominal pain
  • Passing blood in the stool
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge at the incision sites
  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.

Last reviewed: December 2010 by Ronald Nath, MD.

RESOURCES:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References:
  • American College of Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.facs.org. Accessed July 22, 2009.
  • Discharge instructions for an appendectomy. EBSCO Patient Education Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=1034. Updated November 2008. Accessed July 22, 2009.
  • Schwartz S. Principles of Surgery. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2001.
  • Townsend C, Beauchamp DR, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 16th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2001.
  • Townsend C, Beauchamp DR, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 17th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2003.
  • 6/2/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.e8.