Appendectomy is performed under general anesthesia and thus you remain in an unconscious state of mind during the procedure. The entire procedure needs around 1 - 2 hours. Appendectomy can be done as an open surgery or less invasive laparoscopic surgery.
If you are suffering from severe appendicitis or have suffered a possible rupture, open surgery is performed. This allows the surgeon to wash out areas of your abdomen to eliminate presence of bacteria that were released after the organ was busted.
On the other hand, Laparoscopic surgeries are performed when cases are less severe and involve smaller incisions. During the laparoscopic procedure, tiny incisions are made on your abdomen through which a tube like structure called cannula is inserted. Carbon dioxide gas is then allowed to pass through the cannula that inflates your abdomen.
Once your abdomen gets sufficiently inflated, laparoscope is inserted. This device is fitted with a light source along with a camera that provides images of your internal abdomen and helps the surgeon to reach appendix. Once the organ has been traced, it gets removed and the small cuts are carefully cleaned, washed and dressed.
After the procedure, patients are usually required to spend several hours in hospital where they are observed for vital signs. You may find it a little uncomfortable and painful in areas where the incisions were made. However, medicines will improve the condition within a week's time. Administering your prescribed antibiotics are vital for quick recovery.
Patients need to visit the doctor immediately if they experience stomach cramps, redness and swelling around the cuts, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach disorders such as diarrhea or constipation. 6 weeks post surgery, patients can get back to their normal work schedules.