Appendicectomy
Preparation:
This will depend upon the clinical urgency of the procedure.
Procedure:
Generally a laparoscopic procedure is performed however an open appendicectomy performed through a short incision in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen is sometimes required.
Sedation:
General
Post Op:
The laparoscopic approach has lead to a reduced post operative recovery period and many patients are able to go home within 24hours of the operation. The most important factor determining the immediate post surgical recovery is how inflamed the appendix was. In patients in whom the appendix had burst and there was peritonitis it is generally required to have 3 days of intravenous antibiotics and there is usually a longer recovery period.
The most common complications following an appendicectomy relate to infection from the appendix – this can result in a wound infection or an intra-abdominal abscess. A wound infection is usually manifest as pain, swelling and redness around the wound it may or may not discharge pus. In most cases a wound infection is treated with antibiotics. Intra-abdominal abscesses are more common in patients who have had a perforated appendix. These usually cause symptoms of fever and increasing pain a week or two after the initial operation.
OPC Codes:
H0210 Appendicectomy
H0280 Laparoscopic appendicectomy
H0310 Drainage of abscess of appendix
