Appendicectomy

The most common reason to remove ones appendix is because it has become acutely inflamed, a condition called appendicitis. The symptoms of appendicitis usually include abdominal pain that it comes in waves usually centred around the belly button (umbilicus) which then changes within a few hours or a day to a more constant, more severe pain in the right lower part of the abdomen. The pain can be accompanied by fever, feeling sick, being sick and patient feeling generally unwell.

Diagnosis of Appendicitis is mostly done by doctors after taking a detailed history and examining the abdomen. The doctor will then organise some blood tests and or appropriate imaging such as an USS or CT scan.  

The most common and efficient treatment of acute appendicitis is removal of the appendix via an operation which in the majority of cases it is performed with key whole techniques (laparoscopy). In some patients this can not be done in a safe manor and therefore an open operation is performed with either a cut in lower right of the abdomen or down the middle of the abdomen depending on the specific reasons why laparoscopy was not possible.

In some patients the doctors treating the patient might suggest using a non operative approach with antibiotics and operate if the patient does not improve. In such patients the doctors looking after the patient might propose removing the appendix several months after the symptoms have settled with a planned operation rather than an emergency operation.