The surgery for appendicitis, known as appendectomy, is the treatment used in case of inflammation of the appendix. This surgery is usually done whenever the appendicitis is confirmed by the doctor, through clinical examination and an ultrasound or tomography of the abdomen, for example. See which doctor to look for in case of appendicitis.
The surgery for appendicitis is usually done with general anesthesia and lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, and can be done in 2 ways:
- Surgery for appendicitis by laparoscopy: the appendix is removed through 3 small cuts of 1 cm, through which are introduced a small camera and surgical instruments. In this type of surgery the recovery is faster and the scar smaller, and may be almost imperceptible;
- Surgery for traditional appendicitis: a cut of about 5 cm is made in the abdomen on the right side, requiring a greater manipulation of the region, which makes the recovery slower and leaving a scar more visible. It is usually used whenever the appendix is very dilated or ruptured.
Surgery to remove the appendix is usually done within the first 24 hours after the diagnosis of the disease, in order to avoid complications of this inflammation, such as suppurative appendicitis or generalized infection of the abdomen. The symptoms that indicate acute appendicitis are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever, however, it is possible to occur appendicitis with milder symptoms, giving rise to a more sweaty disease, which is chronic appendicitis. Learn how to identify the symptoms that indicate appendicitis, and when to see a doctor.
The length of stay in the surgery for appendicitis is about 1 to 3 days, and the person returns home as soon as he or she can normally eat solid food.
How is recovery
Recovery after surgery for appendicitis may take from 1 week to 1 month in the case of traditional appendectomy, and is usually faster in laparoscopic appendectomy.
During this period, some important care with appendectomy include:
- Relative rest for the first 7 days, with small walks recommended, but avoidance of effort and weight;
- Do the wound treatment at the hospital every 2 days, removing stitches 8 to 10 days after surgery;
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, especially hot drinks like tea;
- Eat grilled or cooked foods, giving preference to white meat, fish, vegetables and fruit. Find out what food should be in the postoperative period of appendicitis;
- Press the wound when it is necessary to cough for the first 7 days;
- Avoid exercise in the first 15 days, being careful when picking up heavy objects or going up and down stairs, for example;
- Sleeping belly up in the first 2 weeks;
- Avoid driving for the first 3 weeks after surgery and be careful when putting your seat belt on the scar.
The postoperative period can vary according to the surgical technique or with possible complications that may exist, so the surgeon is the one to indicate when it is possible to return to work, to drive and to physical activity.
Price of surgery for appendicitis
The value of the surgery for appendicitis is about 6, 000 reais, however the value may vary according to the hospital selected, the technique used and the time of hospitalization. However, surgery can be done free of charge through SUS.
Possible risks
The main complications of surgery for appendicitis are constipation and wound infection, and therefore when the patient stays for more than 3 days without defecating or shows signs of infection, such as redness in the wound, constant pain or fever above 38ºC you must inform the surgeon to start the appropriate treatment.
The risks of surgery for appendicitis are rare, arising mainly in case of appendage rupture.
