Appendectomy—Open Surgery Overview

Click here to view an animated version of this procedure.

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

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

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

A short incision will be made in the right lower abdomen. The doctor will be able to see the appendix through this cut. The appendix will be detached from surrounding tissue. The surgeon will stop any bleeding from blood vessels. The appendix will then be tied off and cut out. The incisions will then be closed with stitches or staples.

If the appendix has ruptured, a warm water solution mixed with antibiotics will be used to wash out the inside of the abdomen. A catheter (tube) will then be placed to drain any fluid that builds up. Sometimes, with a rupture, the surgeon will only close the muscle layers and leave the skin open. The open skin wound will then be packed with a moist gauze dressing.

After Procedure

The removed tissue is examined by a pathologist.

How Long Will It Take?

1-2 hours

Will It Hurt?

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

Average Hospital Stay

You may be in the hospital for 0-3 days. If the appendix has ruptured, expect to stay for several days or more than a week.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

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

• If your appendix ruptured, drainage tubes will be removed after a few days.

At Home

Recovery takes about 4-6 weeks. When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

• You may resume your normal preoperative diet as soon as possible.
• You may be given antibiotics to fight infection. Take all the medications ordered, even if you start to feel better.
• Keep the incision area clean and dry.
• Wash your hands before changing the dressing.
• Rest and take it easy for 1-2 weeks.
• 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.
• Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions .

RESOURCES:

American College of Surgeons
http://www.facs.org/

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
http://www.cag-acg.org/

Canadian Family Physician
http://www.cfp.ca/

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.