Once you are asleep, the surgeon makes an incision near your belly button and inserts a small device called a port. The port creates an opening that your surgeon can use to fill the abdomen with gas.
This creates space to do the operation. Next, a small camera is inserted through the port. The camera shows the surgery on a screen in the operating room. Once the surgeon can see clearly, they put in more ports to insert long, narrow instruments. Finally, they gently disconnect your appendix and take it out through one of the incisions. Most operations need 3 incisions, but this can vary from 1 one to 4, based on various circumstances.
Your surgeon might use a surgical robot to do your operation. It is done the same way as described above. Your doctor guides the robot instead of guiding the instruments by hand. This is commonly referred to as robotic surgery. This lets fluid drain from the surgery area while you are healing, so it does not build up and cause problems. Your doctor will take out the drain later. If the inflammation of your appendix is more complicated, a larger incision may be necessary to complete the surgery safely.
Your surgeon will make this decision during the operation. The results may vary depending upon the type of surgery and your general health. But the most common advantages of laparoscopic surgery are:. Ask your surgeon if a laparoscopic appendectomy is the best option for you.
In certain situations, you might need surgery with one 1 larger incision. Some people cannot have laparoscopic appendix removal.
You might have open surgery with one large incision if you are one of these people. Some reasons for having or switching to open surgery are:. He or she also will insert a tube to start a flow of carbon dioxide, a harmless gas, into the abdominal space; the gas will puff up the abdomen to make more room to work. He or she will insert surgical instruments into the other incision s. The surgeon also will remove the appendix through one of the incisions. Once the area is clean, the surgeon will release air from the abdomen.
Once the appendix is removed, your surgeon will close the incisions with a stapling device or a few sutures SOO-chers or stitches. These sutures will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed. Steri-strips are thin adhesive strips that are sometimes used to close shallow cuts in the skin instead of stitches. Both the glue and the Steri-strips will fall off on their own as the incision heals.
While Asleep While your child is asleep, his or her heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and blood oxygen level will be checked continuously. Waking Up After surgery, your child will be moved to the recovery room to allow the anesthetic to wear off. Children coming out of anesthesia react in different ways. Your child might cry, be fussy or confused, feel sick to his or her stomach, or vomit.
These reactions are normal and will go away as the anesthesia wears off. While your child is in recovery, your surgeon will talk to you about the surgery. This is a good time to ask questions about pain medications, diet, and activity. Once the anesthesiologist sees your child is recovering and his or her pain is controlled, he or she will be moved to his or her hospital room.
This usually takes about an hour, but every child is different so times may vary. You are encouraged to talk to your child or hold his or her hand before the surgery, while sleep medication is given, and while in recovery.
Pain Medication Before the surgery, many patients are also given a regional block, a pain medication that is injected to the outside of the spine to numb the area. During the surgery, your child will be given a numbing medication directly into the incision to relieve discomfort after the surgery. After the surgery, your child will most likely have abdominal pain.
Before you go home, your doctor will prescribe pain medication for your child. At Home After the Surgery After your child is discharged and goes home, he or she should take it easy for the next 1 to 2 weeks. Within 2 days your child may slowly return to his or her regular diet. If your child had a lap appendectomy without a ruptured appendix, no follow-up visit with the surgeon is needed. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.
Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:. Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if you have any problems. Author: Healthwise Staff.
Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional.
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Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents Your Recovery How can you care for yourself at home? When should you call for help?
Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Your Recovery Your doctor removed your appendix either by making many small cuts, called incisions, in your belly laparoscopic surgery or through open surgery. How can you care for yourself at home? Rest when you feel tired.
Getting enough sleep will help you recover. Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk.
Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation. For about 2 weeks, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include a child, heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, or a vacuum cleaner. Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay.
This makes it easier to examine the appendix and internal organs. Immediately after appendectomy After the operation, you can expect: Nurses will regularly record your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration.
Nurses will observe your wound and level of pain, and give you painkillers as ordered by your doctor. If there are no complications, you can get out of bed quite soon after the operation. Early movement is desirable, but caution is needed for climbing stairs so as not to strain the abdominal muscles. You should be able to eat about 24 hours or so after the operation. You should be able to leave hospital two to three days after an uncomplicated appendectomy.
If you have external sutures stitches , you usually have them removed after one week or so. Sometimes, surgeons use dissolvable sutures.
Medical treatment for peritonitis If your appendix ruptures and you develop peritonitis, you will have antibiotics prescribed. Complications of appendectomy All surgery carries some degree of risk. Taking care of yourself at home after appendectomy Be guided by your doctor, but general suggestions include: Follow the dietary advice you are given.
You may like to use a mild laxative for the first few days. Drink plenty of water every day to help prevent constipation. Make sure you have adequate rest. A fast lifestyle, with inadequate diet, will slow your recovery. Avoid lifting heavy objects and stair climbing, so that you don't strain your abdominal muscles.
After a few days, slowly resume your normal activities. Include regular, gentle exercise. Long-term outlook after appendectomy The appendix appears to be a redundant organ, since the human body manages quite well without it. Where to get help Your doctor Emergency department of your nearest hospital In an emergency, always call triple zero Things to remember Appendectomy is surgery to remove the appendix, which is usually found in the right lower side of the abdomen. Appendectomy is usually carried out on an emergency basis to treat appendicitis inflamed appendix.
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