| What is
Appendix?
|
|
It is an extra organ connected to intestines that has no role in digestion and absorption of food. It does look like a worm therefore also called Vermiform Appendix.
|
| Why is it there
then?
|
|
Don't know! It probably had some role many thousand years back but as human beings have progressed it has become a vestigial (unused)
organ.
|
| What is
appendicitis?
|
|
It is inflammation or infection of Appendix.
|
| Why does it
happen?
|
|
Any organ in the body can get inflamed Sometimes it gets blocked and sometimes gets inflamed just like that.
|
| How do I know that I have
appendicitis?
|
|
In appendicitis you get pain in the right lower part of abdomen, vomiting and fever. Diarrhoea, constipation are also possible.
|
| What is the
treatment?
|
|
Only treatment of appendicitis is to remove appendix by Surgery. Your surgeon is the best person to understand these situations as every patient is different.
|
| If I have appendicitis can I avoid the
operation?
|
|
Not really! In 1% patients with very slight appendicitis it has been treated with antibiotics. But it has possible risks. Sometimes nature forms a natural protection around appendix (lump). Finally for all practical purposes Appendicectomy is the only treatment. In most of these cases.
|
| I have heard about appendix bursting if not treated. What is
that?
|
|
Once you develop appendicitis appendix becomes soft, wet and gangrenous like a wet tissue paper. As a result of this it can perforate. Perforated appendicitis is much more difficult to treat compared to unperforated.
|
| Can you explain a bit more about appendicitis and perforated
appendicitis?
|
Perforated appendicitis takes longer to operate. It has higher risk of problems after operations like abscess, temperature, adhesions etc. Hospital stay is generally more.
Risk of wound infection is about 10% compared to 2% in cases without perforation. In young women it can cause inability to conceive children due adhesions in
pelvis. Most important thing is that it is life threatening in some cases.
|
| Can it be done
laparoscopically?
|
|
Yes it can be! Laparoscopic surgery has advantage of less pain, early mobilization and early return to work. In females it has extra advantage of visualization of uterus, tubes and ovaries.
|
| Can it always be done
laparoscopically?
|
|
No, not always! In some cases it cannot be done due to technical reasons or in very complicated cases. Your surgeon will decide these things.
|
| Somebody said if you get it done laparoscopically it can happen again. Some part is left behind in laparoscopy.
|
| That is not true. Laparoscopy is slightly different way of doing exactly the same operation.
|
| Are there any risks of
operation?
|
| Every operation carries a small risk of anaesthesia, infection, bleeding and injury.
You can discuss these in further details with your surgeon if you
want.
|
| What do you do in laparoscopic appendix
operation?
|
| In Laparoscopic Surgery we make three holes in the abdomen like key holes and use specialized instruments to remove appendix. That's why
it's also called key hole surgery.
|
