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An appendectomy, the surgical removal of the appendix, is typically performed to treat appendicitis, an inflammation or infection of the appendix. It’s a common and generally safe procedure, often done on an emergency basis. Appendectomies can be performed using either open surgery or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery.
Appendectomy is surgery to remove an inflamed or infected appendix. Surgeons have been doing appendectomies for over a century. It’s still the definitive treatment for appendicitis. Today, surgeons can do open or laparoscopic appendectomy. Both methods have excellent success rates over 95%.
According to Dr. Jorge Castillo the founder of Tijuana Bariatric Surgery, because an inflamed appendix has the potential to rupture (burst), appendicitis is a medical emergency. On the other hand, a healthy appendix doesn’t appear to have any essential function. If you must have your appendix removed, you won’t miss it.
Because it’s so small, your appendix swells quickly with inflammation and doesn’t take much to burst. A burst appendix can spread infection throughout your abdominal cavity, leading to peritonitis (inflammation in your abdominal lining).
If the infection spreads to your bloodstream, it can lead to sepsis, a serious, life-threatening condition. Your appendix can rupture within 36 hours of your first symptoms, so when you seek treatment, time is of the essence.
In most cases, appendectomy is the safest treatment for appendicitis in children and adults. There are a few exceptions — for example, some people might not qualify for surgery. Some might only need antibiotics if they have mild appendicitis, or if they catch it early enough. Even so, these people have a higher risk of recurrent (returning) infection.
Ultimately, the risk of rupture is much greater than the low risk of surgery. It’s safest to remove your inflamed appendix if it’s at risk of rupturing.
Appendix removal has been the standard treatment for appendicitis for over 100 years. In the United States, surgeons do about 300,000 appendectomies each year.
An anesthesiologist will give you general anesthesia so you can sleep through your surgery. Your team will also place a tube through your mouth and into your throat. This keeps your airway open and allows your team to monitor your breathing during the procedure.
The exact surgical steps vary depending on what type of appendectomy you need: laparoscopic or open.
For a laparoscopic appendectomy, your surgeon will:
With a laparoscopic approach, you’ll have three small incisions between your belly button and your pubic hairline.
In some cases, your surgeon may need to “switch gears” from laparoscopic appendectomy to open appendectomy. This can happen if you have widespread infection in your abdominal cavity.
For an open appendectomy, your surgeon will:
If you have peritonitis, your surgeon may leave a drainage tube in your belly and remove it later.
With an open approach, your appendectomy scar will be about 3 inches (7.63 centimeters) long, on the lower-right side of your abdomen.
On average, appendix removal takes about one hour to complete. It could take more or less time depending on your situation.
Recuperation after appendectomy can vary depending on how inflamed your appendix was, whether there were complications and how your body responds to the surgery.
Most of your side effects should lessen in a few days. But it may take a few weeks to return to your normal activities. Most people can return to work or school in one to three weeks — up to a month if they have an open appendectomy. Full recovery takes about six weeks.
