Appendectomy—Open Surgery Side Effects and Warnings

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
• Infection
• Damage to other organs
• Reaction to anesthesia

Some risk factors that make complications more likely include:

• Appendix has ruptured
• Age: 65 or older
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Chronic lung or heart disease
• Pregnancy

Call Your Doctor

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

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

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.