Appendectomy Overview, Surgical Procedures

Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix when an infection has made it inflamed and swollen. Fortunately, appendectomy is a common procedure and complications are rare. And if appendicitis is promptly diagnosed and an appendectomy is performed, most kids recover quickly and with little difficulty.

About Appendicitis

Located in the abdomen, the appendix is a small organ that isn't important to a person's health. There's no way to prevent appendicitis. Other times mucus produced by the appendix can thicken and cause a blockage.  

Signs and Symptoms

Appendicitis also can cause:

• loss of appetite
• fever
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea

If the appendix bursts, a child can develop a high fever, and pain will move throughout the abdominal area.

The Surgery

A child who needs an appendectomy will be admitted to the hospital. The surgeon will describe the procedure and answer your questions.

Open Appendectomy
An open appendectomy is the "traditional" way of removing an infected appendix. Basically, a surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen and locates the infected appendix. The appendix is cut away from the large intestine and removed from the body. The incision is then closed with stitches.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Laparoscopy is a type of surgery that uses a tiny video camera called a laparoscope to help surgeons see inside the body. The thin tube of the laparoscope is inserted into the body through a small incision and guided to the appendix to act as the surgeon's "eyes." Sometimes appendectomy is done using a combination of procedure types. In rare cases, a surgeon might start with the laparoscopic procedure but change to an open procedure during surgery. 

After Surgery

After the surgery, your child will be taken to a recovery room, which is sometimes called the "post-op" (post-operative) room or PACU (post-anesthesia care unit).

Also, your child might feel some pain near the incision site, but medication can help lessen it so be sure to let doctors or nurses know if your child is uncomfortable or in pain.

Caring for Your Child

Typically, a child stays in the hospital for 2 to 3 days after an appendectomy, a little longer if the appendix burst before it was removed. Other things to think about as your child recovers at home:

Call your doctor if you notice any redness or swelling around the incision, or your child develops pain or a fever greater than 101° F (38.3° C).

Returning to school: The doctor will tell you when your child can return to school and resume normal activities. In many cases, that's within a week of surgery, longer if the appendix burst.

Resuming physical activity: The doctor might recommend that your child not participate in gym class, sports, and other physical activities for a few weeks.

With a little rest and care, most kids recover from appendicitis and an appendectomy with little difficulty.

When your child is having any kind of procedure or surgery, it's understandable to be a little uneasy.