Our Services / Appendicitis Surgery

What is appendicitis surgery?

Appendicitis surgery (appendectomy) is a procedure to remove a diseased appendix. Removing your appendix doesn’t cause long-term problems because the organ serves no vital purpose.

The appendix is a small, finger-sized organ that branches from the joint between the large and small intestines. An infection in the appendix can lead to a rupture, spreading bacteria into the lower abdomen and causing peritonitis.

Peritonitis is life-threatening, so doctors typically perform appendicitis surgery without delay.

How is appendicitis surgery done?

Dr. Al-Kalla uses robotic techniques to complete appendectomies in suitable patients. Robotic surgery is minimally invasive, so it causes less tissue damage and scarring. Patients also feel less pain and recover more quickly. Robotic surgery is very similar to laparoscopy, but Dr. Al-Kalla guides the instruments using a robot instead of completing it by hand.

Appendicitis surgery is done under a general anesthetic, so you sleep through the procedure. Dr. Al-Kalla makes a small cut in your left upper quadrant of your abdomen and then inserts a port — a small device that creates an opening. He uses the port to pump gas into your abdomen, providing enough space to complete the surgery.

Dr. Al-Kalla inserts a tiny camera on a flexible tube (laparoscope) into the port. The camera lets him see your appendix on the operating room view screen. Next, Dr. Al-Kalla inserts additional ports for specialized laparoscopic instruments. He carefully staples off the appendix and removes it through the port.

When your appendicitis surgery is complete, Dr. Al-Kalla closes the incisions with tiny stitches, surgical glue, staples, or tape.

What other methods are used for appendicitis surgery?

Some patients need open appendicitis surgery, where Dr. Al-Kalla makes a single large incision. This technique might be necessary if your appendix is highly inflamed, you have an abscess, or your appendix has burst. Severely obese patients or those with abdominal scar tissue might also need open appendicitis surgery but rarely these days as even tough, complex cases like these can be handle with robotic surgery.

You can usually go home the same day after robotic or laparoscopic appendicitis surgery. If you have open surgery, you’ll need an overnight (possibly longer) hospital stay. Most people return to their everyday activities about a week after laparoscopic appendicitis surgery.

Call Optimal Weight Loss and Surgery Consultants today or book an appointment online to learn more about having appendicitis surgery.