Appendix how long to heal

This is called a laparoscopic appendectomy. If the appendix broke open or a pocket of infection abscess formed, your abdomen will be washed out during surgery. A small tube may be left in the belly area to help drain out fluids or pus. You may never have given much thought to your appendix, the little pouch that's attached to the top of your large intestine.

And you wouldn't have much reason to think about it, because it doesn't seem to do anything. But if your appendix were to become swollen and inflamed, it would probably move to the front of your mind. The pain of appendicitis can make you quickly, and unpleasantly, familiar with this organ.

You can get appendicitis if your appendix becomes blocked. That blockage could be from feces, a foreign object, or, in rare cases, a tumor. When your appendix is blocked up, bacteria that normally live inside it start multiplying like crazy, and cause an infection. If you've got appendicitis you'll usually have pain that's centered around the area of your belly button.

At first the pain may be minor, but it can get very severe and will usually drift downward to the bottom right part of your abdomen. You may also have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, and a low fever. Your pain may let up for a time.

This relief can be misleading, though. Just when you think you're getting better, your appendix may have actually burst.

If that's the case, the pain will get start to get more and more intense. To diagnose appendicitis, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and press on your abdomen, which will feel very tender. You may need imaging tests, such as a CT scan or ultrasound of your abdomen, so the doctor can see if the problem is with your appendix. If you have appendicitis, the number one way to treat it is with surgery to remove your appendix.

In fact, appendicitis is the number one cause of emergency abdominal surgery in the U. You may be treated for an infection first, before your surgery. It's important to treat the appendicitis quickly because you can develop a collection of pus called an abscess in your abdomen once your appendix bursts. Don't worry about going through life without an appendix.

People live healthy lives without it. Once you've had your appendix taken out, you should feel a lot better. If your appendix has ruptured, it may take you longer to recover. You may also develop an abscess or other complications. That's why you don't want to wait until your appendix has already burst to get treated. Call your doctor for any severe pain in your abdomen, especially if you also have a fever, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, or other severe symptoms.

An appendectomy is done for appendicitis. The condition can be hard to diagnose, especially in children, older people, and women of childbearing age. But serious complications like this are very rare.

Read about complications from appendicitis. This information on the risks of surgery is only a guide. It is not a substitute for the proper consent process you will have with your doctor. The consent process will happen before your surgery. Your doctor will meet with you to explain your surgery and the possible risks of complications.

You should ask them any questions you have before giving your consent to go ahead with the surgery. You should only give your consent when you feel you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. In some cases, appendicitis can lead to the development of a lump on the appendix called an appendix mass.

This lump is an attempt by the body to deal with the problem and heal itself. It contains appendix and fatty tissue. Your doctor may find an appendix mass during an examination.

If they do, they may decide there is no need to operate immediately. Instead, they'll give you a course of antibiotics. You will get an appointment for an appendectomy a few weeks later, when the mass has settled.

Page last reviewed: 22 December Next review due: 22 December Read our cookies policy to find out more about our cookies and how we use them. The procedure The surgeon will carry out an appendectomy under general anaesthetic.

Keyhole surgery laparoscopy Keyhole surgery is usually the preferred method of removing the appendix. This operation involves making 3 or 4 small cuts incisions in your tummy. Special instruments are then inserted, including: a tube that pumps gas through to inflate your abdomen. This allows the surgeon to see your appendix clearly and gives them more room to work a laparoscope.

This is a small tube containing a light source and a camera. It relays images of the inside of your tummy to a television screen.

Open surgery Sometimes, keyhole surgery isn't recommended and you might have open surgery instead. For either type of surgery, the scar is often hard to see once it has healed. Both types of surgery have low risk of complications. A laparoscopic appendectomy has a shorter hospital stay, shorter recovery time, and lower infection rates.

Recently, some studies have suggested that intravenous antibiotics alone could cure appendicitis without the need for appendectomy. These results remain controversial and appendectomy remains the standard of care.

Appendicitis is a medical emergency. It is when your appendix becomes sore, swollen, and infected. If you have appendicitis, there is a serious risk your appendix may burst or rupture. This can happen as soon as 48 to 72 hours after you have symptoms. It can cause a severe, life-threatening infection called peritonitis in your belly. Infection and redness and swelling inflammation of the belly that can occur if the appendix bursts during surgery peritonitis.

You may have other risks that are unique to you. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before surgery. You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the surgery. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is not clear. Your provider will ask questions about your past health.

He or she will also give you a physical exam. This is to make sure you are in good health before you have surgery. You may also need blood tests and other diagnostic tests. You must not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the surgery. This often means no food or drink after midnight.

Make sure your provider has a list of all medicines prescribed and over-the-counter and all herbs, vitamins, and supplements that you are taking. Are allergic to or sensitive to latex, medicines, tape, or anesthesia medicines local and general. Have a history of bleeding disorders or are taking any blood-thinning anticoagulant medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. You may have to stop taking these medicines before surgery. In most cases an appendectomy is an emergency surgery and will require a hospital stay.

You will have either an open appendectomy or a laparoscopic appendectomy. An appendectomy is done while you are given medicines to put you into a deep sleep under general anesthesia. You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that might get in the way during surgery. A tube will be put down your throat to help you breathe. The anesthesiologist will check your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery.

If your appendix has burst or ruptured, your abdomen will be washed out with salt water saline. The lining of your abdomen and your abdominal muscles will be closed with stitches.