Appendix

The appendix is a small tube that sits in your lower right abdomen where the upper and lower intestines meet. When it becomes inflamed or infected (appendicitis) you might need to have it removed by surgery.

What is appendicitis?

Appendicitis is inflammation or infection in your appendix. It can cause pain on and off or the pain can be severe and sudden. This is usually when the appendix has burst, causing bacteria to spread into your abdominal cavity, the area of your body that includes your liver, stomach and intestines. Other symptoms may be more general. These include: 

• Pain or tenderness in your abdomen – especially when you move, cough, sneeze or inhale

• Swollen abdomen

• Constipation or diarrhoea

• Loss of appetite

• Fever, nausea and vomiting

You can have appendicitis at any age. A physical exam combined with blood tests and scans can confirm if your appendix is inflamed, infected or has burst. Why does the gallbladder cause problems?

Does appendicitis always require surgery?

In some cases, mild appendicitis will get better after receiving antibiotics intravenously (via a drip). However, most people with appendicitis will need surgery to remove their appendix. Surgery to remove your appendix is called an appendicectomy.

By acting quickly to remove the inflamed appendix, Dr Hopkins will be trying to avoid a ruptured appendix and spreading bacteria into the surrounding area. An infection in your abdominal cavity (peritonitis) is potentially life-threatening and needs to be treated immediately.

If bacteria from a ruptured appendix gets into your blood, it can lead to widespread inflammation in the body (sepsis). This is an extremely serious medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Step by step: appendix surgery (appendicectomy)   

• A laparoscopic appendicectomy uses minimally invasive keyhole surgery to remove the appendix under general anaesthetic.

• Small incisions will be made in your abdomen for a laparoscope (tiny camera) and instruments to perform the surgery.

• The appendix is removed through one of the incisions.

• Laparoscopic appendicectomy may take less than 1 hour to complete if there are no complications.

• If your appendix has burst, you may need more extensive abdominal surgery (laparotomy) to remove the ruptured appendix and infection. This may take several hours.

• Open surgery will require a longer stay in hospital to ensure your wound is healing and the infection has cleared.

After surgery: what to expect 

You may be in hospital for 1-2 days after surgery to remove your appendix. If there are no complications, you may be able to go home the next day. If your appendix has ruptured, you will be monitored for longer and need antibiotics for some time to make sure any infection has cleared.

Within two weeks you should be able to return to work and normal activities. It’s important to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise while your body heals from surgery.