|
Laparoscopic Appendectomy
The appendix is a small tube, closed at one end, that
extends from the large intestine. Its function is not
known, and it is not needed for the digestive system
to work properly. Sometimes the appendix becomes inflamed.
In time, the organ can break, or rupture, spreading
infection throughout the abdominal area. The usual remedy
for appendicitis is to surgically remove the organ.
Appendicitis affects more males than females and
most commonly occurs in people ages 10-30. Symptoms
of appendicitis typically include sharp pain in the
lower right side of the abdomen. The pain may become
worse when the patient walks, coughs, or sneezes. There
is often fever, vomiting, and a lack of appetite. A
doctor may use a physical exam together with tests such
as a white blood cell count, X-ray, computerized tomography
(CT) scan, or ultrasound to make the diagnosis of appendicitis.
The laparoscope, a thin, telescope-like instrument attached
to a camera, can also aid in the diagnosis of appendicitis.
From within the body, the camera projects a magnified
view of the appendix onto a television monitor.
Two types of appendectomy
Surgery is scheduled soon after the appendicitis is
diagnosed; with too long a wait, the appendix could
rupture.
Surgeons can remove the appendix by the "open"
technique or by laparoscopy, also known as minimally
invasive surgery. General anesthesia is used with both
procedures, but from then on, there are some differences
between the two.
With "open" surgery, an incision is made
in the abdomen, revealing the abdominal cavity. The
intestine is moved aside and the appendix removed. Then
the surgeon sutures up the muscle wall and closes the
incision. A hospital stay of 1 to 2 days can be expected
with a routine surgery where the appendix stays in tact;
if the appendix has ruptured, the patient will be hospitalized
for a longer period of time.
During a "lap appy," the laparoscope
is inserted near the belly, and two to three small,
1/4 inch to 1 inch incisions are made for specially
designed surgical instruments. The camera projects a
magnified image of the area onto a television monitor,
which the surgeon uses as a guide to remove the appendix.
Usually, the patient can go home the same day as the
surgery. With this procedure, recovery time is greatly
reduced, there is generally less need for pain medications,
and patients can resume their normal lifestyles sooner
than they could with the open technique.
|
Procedures
Printer
Friendly Page