Appendix Surgery in Delhi – Laparoscopic Appendectomy

What is an appendix?

• The  appendix is a worm shaped tubular structure around the size of an index finger at the  junction of the small and large bowel in the  right lower  part of the abdomen.

• It gets  inflamed when hard stool matter  gets stuck at the base of the appendix leading to distension and swelling of the appendix. It can also get inflamed by worms, or other conditions.
• This  leads  to severe  excruciating abdominal pain in the right lower abdomen  which may radiate  down to  thighs  or  even to  the groin.
• You probably know that if the appendix becomes inflamed it usually  needs to be removed.  You can live without your appendix and not develop any long term issues.
• If appendicitis is untreated, it may rupture or burst open and cause very serious illness ( peritonitis, septic shock ) or even death.

How to Diagnose Appendicitis?

The  acute  attack  of  appendicitis is usually diagnosed  by clinical examination and  confirmed  by  Ultrasound and  blood tests. In some cases  a  CT-scan may be required  to  confirm the  diagnosis if the  clinical picture  is  confusing.

Management of Appendicitis

• During an acute attack the patient is  usually  hospitalized, put on IV antibiotics and other supportive medications.  The patient may require   an EMERGENCY APENDECTOMY within a few hours of diagnosis. 
• Most of the cases are operated ideally before 36 hours  of the onset of pain

• Sometimes  if there is a formation of  an appendicular  lump  then the  surgeon may decide  to  perform an INTERVAL  APPENDECTOMY after  a few weeks .

SURGERY FOR  APPENDICITIS

• Appendectomy is a common surgery and many people have had their appendix removed. It is the safest option for management for appendicitis if you are medically fit to undergo anesthesia. It’s a routinely performed procedure, usually done using Laparoscopic Techniques.

Open Appendectomy 

Traditional way to remove the appendix is  by making one large cut below and to the right of the belly button.

Laparoscopic appendectomy

This surgery removes the appendix using small incisions , 5 mm and 10 mm and using Minimal invasive  surgical instruments.

Single Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy (SILA)

One of the latest techniques is Single Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy (SILA, where a single puncture is made in the navel and the surgery is done  using modern Minimally invasive instruments. This makes the surgery scarless and virtually pain free.

Advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy over open appendectomy 

The most common advantages of laparoscopic surgery are:

• Less pain after surgery
• A shorter hospital stay
• Getting back to normal activity faster
• Having normal bowel movements sooner
• A smaller scar which is better cosmetically.
• Low risk of hernia at the post operative scar site.

What happens if I cannot have my Appendix removed Laparoscopically?

You might need open surgery with one large incision, as the  Surgeon may need to convert from laparoscopy to open surgery because of following reasons:

•  The appendix is very inflamed or there is an abscess (a large collection of infected pus in the abdomen).
• Your appendix has perforated (burst).
• You have scar tissue in your abdomen from earlier surgery which leads to dense adhesions between organs in which case it would be safer to proceed with open surgery.
• You have bleeding problems.

It is not to be considereda failure or a  problem if your surgeon decides to switch to open surgery. They will switch if open surgery is the safest option for you. Your surgeon might not know this until after the laparoscopy starts. They will use their best judgment about the safest surgery for you.

What are the Possible Complications of  Appendectomy?

Complications are rare, but possible. They include:

Bleeding.

Wound infection.

Injury to nearby organs.

Blood clots

Hernia

A hernia is a hole that allows a small amount of gut (intestine) or other tissue to bulge through the muscles that cover it, this more common after a larger cut on the abdomen as in after an open surgery as compared to llaparoscopic approach. A person may develop a right sided groin/ inguinal hernia after an open appendectomy.

Single Incision Laparoscopic Appendicectomy

Latest approach.

Provides  excellent cosmesis and is scarless, requires

lot more expertise and  advanced  technology

If  you are  having pain suggestive of  appendix...CONTACT NOW!!!

Book an appointment

FAQ

1. What are the common symptoms of appendicitis?

Common symptoms include pain that may start around the navel and move to the lower right abdomen, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, and abdominal tenderness. Sudden or worsening abdominal pain should be evaluated by a doctor promptly.

2. When is appendix surgery required?

Appendix surgery, also called an appendectomy, is commonly recommended when appendicitis is confirmed or strongly suspected. Treatment should not be delayed because an inflamed appendix may rupture and cause serious infection.

3. What is laparoscopic appendix surgery?

Laparoscopic appendectomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which the appendix is removed through a few small abdominal incisions using a camera and specialized surgical instruments.

4. What are the benefits of laparoscopic appendix surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery may offer smaller incisions, reduced postoperative discomfort, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and less visible scarring compared with traditional open surgery. Suitability depends on the patient’s condition.

5. How long does appendix surgery take?

The duration of an appendectomy varies depending on the patient’s condition, the surgical technique used, and whether complications such as rupture or infection are present.

6. How long is the hospital stay after appendix surgery?

Many patients undergoing uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomy may be discharged within a short period after surgery. Patients with a ruptured appendix, infection, or other complications may require a longer hospital stay.

7. How long does it take to recover after appendix surgery?

Recovery time differs from person to person. Many patients can gradually return to routine activities within a few weeks, while strenuous exercise and heavy lifting may need to be avoided for longer as advised by the surgeon.

8. Can appendicitis be treated without surgery?

In selected cases, antibiotics may be considered under medical supervision. However, surgery remains a common treatment for appendicitis, and the appropriate treatment depends on the patient’s symptoms, examination, scans, and overall condition.

9. What is the cost of appendix surgery in Delhi?

The cost of appendix surgery in Delhi can vary depending on the type of surgery, hospital, room category, surgeon’s fees, investigations, medical condition, and insurance coverage. A personalized estimate can be provided after consultation.

10. How can I consult an appendix surgeon in Delhi?

If you have symptoms of appendicitis or have been advised to undergo appendix surgery, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Sushant Wadhera for evaluation and guidance regarding laparoscopic or open appendectomy.