Appendectomy – Appendectomy – open surgery

Description removal of the appendix

Appendectomy – appendectomy. Appendix – small appendix, which is attached to the colon.

Reasons appendectomy

Appendectomy often It has done as an emergency operation to treat appendicitis. Appendicitis – inflammation of the appendix, which may be caused by infection or obstruction.

Complications of Appendectomy

Complications are rare, but no operation ensures no risk. Before, how to perform the appendectomy, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

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

Factors, that may increase the risk of complications:

• Smoking;
• A ruptured appendix;
• Age: 65 and older;
• Obesity;
• Diabetes;
• Chronic lung disease or heart disease;
• Pregnancy.

How is the appendectomy?

Preparing for Surgery

The doctor performs the following tests:

• Physical examination;
• Blood and urine tests;
• Roentgen – to take pictures of structures inside the body;
• Ultrasonography – test, which uses sound waves, to find the appendix and other organs;
• CT scan – X-ray examination, which uses computer, to take pictures inside the body.

Since appendicitis can occur unexpectedly, appendectomy – Emergency surgery, and the delay in its conduct can cause complications.

Anesthesia

During the operation using general anesthesia. During the operation, the patient is asleep. To facilitate the breathing tube is inserted into the throat for ventilation.

Description of the procedure

In the right lower abdominal incision will be made short. The doctor will be able to see the appendix through this cut. The appendix will be detached from surrounding tissue. The surgeon stops the bleeding from blood vessels. The appendix is ​​then cut. The incisions are closed with stitches or staples seams.

If the appendix has a discontinuity, It will be used warm water solution, mixed with antibiotics , to wash the interior of the abdominal cavity. Catheter (tube) located at the surgical site to remove the liquid, which accumulates. Sometimes, at break apendiks surgeon sews only muscles and leaves the skin incision open. Open the cut and then ligated with a damp patch.

After appendectomy

Removal of the appendix is ​​investigated in the laboratory.

How long does the surgery?

Operation takes one to two hours.

Will it hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. To facilitate postoperative pain painkillers are administered to the patient.

The time spent in hospital

The usual length of stay is 0-3 day. If the appendix had ruptured, hospital stay can take more than a week.

Postoperative care after appendectomy

In the hospital

• You can get out of bed at six hours after surgery;
• If the appendix ruptured, drainage tubes will be removed after a few days.

Nursing homes

Recovery will take about 4-6 weeks. When you return home, you need to perform the following actions, to ensure the normal recovery:

• You can resume normal preoperative diet;
• The patient may be given antibiotics to fight infection. It is necessary to go through the entire course of the reception, even if the condition has improved;
• It is necessary to keep the incision clean and dry;
• We need to ask the doctor about, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or to expose the surgical site to water;
• It is necessary to wash your hands before changing the dressing;
• You must rest for 1-2 weeks;
• You can not play sports or do heavy labor from one to several weeks, as prescribed by your doctor;
• Gradually the need to increase the activity, in accordance with the instructions of the doctor;
• Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.

It is necessary to go to the hospital in the following cases

• There are signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Redness, edema, increased pain, bleeding or rupture of the seam on the cut;
• Cough, breathlessness, chest pain, severe nausea or vomiting;
• Increased abdominal pain;
• Fainting and dizziness;
• Blood in the stool.