Laparoscopic Appendicectomy

What is the appendix & appendicitis?

The appendix is a small, thin finger-like pouch about 5 to 10cm long (2 to 4 inches). It’s connected to the large intestine, where faeces (stools) are formed

Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix.

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?

Appendicitis typically starts with a pain in the middle of your abdomen (tummy) that may come and go. Within hours the pain travels to the lower right-hand side, where the appendix usually lies, and becomes constant and severe.

Pressing on this area, coughing or walking, may all make the pain worse. You may lose your appetite, feel sick and occasionally experience diarrhoea.

Appendicitis can easily be confused with something else, such as gastroenteritis, severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, bladder or urine infections and occasionally Crohn’s disease. In young women, these symptoms can sometimes have a gynaecological cause, such as an ectopic pregnancy or menstrual pain.

What causes appendicitis?

It’s not exactly clear what the causes of appendicitis are, although most cases are thought to occur when something, usually a small piece of faeces (stool) or a swollen lymph node within the wall of the bowel (often following an upper respiratory tract infection), blocks the entrance of the appendix.

This obstruction leads to the development of inflammation and swelling. The pressure caused by the swelling can then lead to the appendix bursting. Appendicitis can develop at any age, but it is most common in young people from 10 to 20 years old

No one knows exactly why we have an appendix. Removing it is not harmful.

What is appendicectomy?

Appendicectomy is surgical removal of appendix.

Laparoscopic appendicectomy is removing the appendix through small cuts in the right lower abdomen using laparoscopic equipments. It ensures very less blood loss, less pain and short recovery period. Patient can resume their normal routines within few days.