What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis occurs
when the appendix becomes swollen and painful. The appendix is a small
and thin sac about 5 to 10 cm. This bag is connected to the large
intestine; Where stool is formed. The exact cause of appendicitis is
not known, but removing this bag does not cause any complications.
Appendicitis generally
begins with pain in the middle of the abdomen, which sometimes appears and
resolves. Over the course of several hours, the pain spreads to the lower
right side of the abdomen where the appendix is located and becomes severe
and persistent. Pressing on this area, coughing or walking
may aggravate the pain caused by appendicitis . You may
experience anorexia, nausea and sometimes diarrhea.
If a
person develops appendicitis , an appendectomy is
usually performed to remove the appendix. Appendectomy surgery should
be done as soon as possible. Appendectomy surgery is usually
recommended in cases where there is a possibility of appendicitis
but the exact diagnosis has not yet been made. Because removing the
appendix with appendectomy is a safer method compared to the risk of the
appendix bursting. In humans, the appendix does not perform an important
function in the body, and appendectomy or removal of the appendix does not lead
to long-term problems.
Appendectomy
Appendectomy is
performed under general anesthesia using laparoscopic or
open surgery.
Laparoscopic appendectomy
Laparoscopic
appendectomy is a surgery that is generally chosen to remove the
appendix; Because the recovery period of laparoscopic appendectomy is
faster than open surgery. This type of appendectomy involves
making three or four incisions in the abdomen. To perform appendectomy in
this way, special expressions are entered into the abdomen:
- a tube through which gas is pumped
into the stomach and fills the stomach with air; In
laparoscopic appendectomy , this allows the surgeon to
see the appendix more clearly.
- A laparoscope, a small tube with a
light source and camera, creates a clear image of the inside of the
abdomen on a screen.
- Small surgical instruments used to
remove the appendix
When an
appendectomy is performed, the slits are closed with absorbable sutures. Nonabsorbable
sutures may also be used to close laparoscopic appendectomy incisions,
which are pulled by the surgeon 7 to 10 days after the
appendectomy .
Open appendectomy
In some
situations, laparoscopic appendectomy is
not recommended and open appendectomy is performed to
remove the appendix. Conditions in which open appendectomy is
performed include:
- When the appendix has burst and a
mass called an appendiceal mass has formed.
- When the surgeon does not have
much experience in laparoscopic appendectomy .
- People who have had open abdominal
surgery in the past.
In
these cases, appendectomy involves making a large incision in
the lower right part of the abdomen through which the appendix is
removed. When there is extensive peritonitis (infection of the lining of
the abdomen) it is necessary to perform an appendectomy through
a large incision in the middle of the abdomen (laparotomy). As with laparoscopic appendectomy ,
the gap created in open appendectomy is closed with the help of absorbable or
non-absorbable sutures.
After
both types of appendectomy , the removed appendix is sent to
the laboratory to check for signs of cancer. This is a warning action and
in most cases a serious problem is not found.
Appendectomy: recovery period
One of
the biggest advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy is the
short recovery period and hospitalization only a few days after appendectomy . If
the appendix is operated quickly, most patients are discharged from the
hospital after 24 hours. In open or complex appendectomy ,
if you have peritonitis, you can return home within a week after the operation.
In the
first days after appendectomy surgery , you may experience
some pain and bruising. These problems will go away over time, but if
necessary, you can use painkillers. If you've had a laparoscopic appendectomy
, you may have pain above your shoulders for a week. This is due to
the gas that entered your abdomen during the appendectomy . You
will also experience constipation for a short period of time after
appendectomy, which can be prevented by taking codeine, eating a lot of
fiber and fluids after appendectomy . Before you leave the
hospital, you will be advised to protect your wounds and keep some tips in mind
regarding your daily activities.
In most
cases, you can return to your normal activities two weeks after the
appendectomy , while you should avoid heavy activities for four to six
weeks after the appendectomy .