Appendix Operation or Appendix Removal Surgery – What is that?

Appendix Surgery involves removing the appendix completely due to inflammation or infection. An inflamed appendix, as a result of this surgical condition, is termed as Appendicitis. The surgical removal of the appendix is termed as Appendectomy. In common parlance, the surgery refers to appendix operation or simply appendix removal surgery. Appendectomy employs a keyhole approach these days. It refers to Laparoscopic Appendectomy or commonly referred to as laparoscopic appendix removal surgery. Surgeons, in the earlier days, we’re using open surgery methods for an appendectomy

Why Would Appendix Develop Inflammation?

The reason for the inflammation of the Appendix is generally unknown. It is widely believed that an obstruction to the lumen of the Appendix may be the reason. The obstruction to the lumen may be partial or complete. The obstruction is generally caused by the fecal matter which accumulates inside the appendix to cause inflammation. This inflammation exerts pressure on the wall of the appendix or tissues of the appendix. As a matter of fact, this causes extreme pain.

Other reasons for inflammation of Appendix or Appendicitis

Secondary Appendicitis

Generally, bacteria, virus and other pathogens affect the gastrointestinal region. This infection is quite normal. Very rarely this gastrointestinal infection can affect the appendix. This type of infection of the appendix is termed as secondary appendicitis. It implies that primary infection lies somewhere else in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result of this infection from somewhere, the appendix gets infected as a result. This condition is because of low immunity.

Although secondary appendicitis is very rare, if found at an early stage they are curable with antibiotics. If secondary appendicitis has proceeded, it can be cured by appendix removal surgery.

Fecal Impaction

Appendicitis is all about the accumulation of fecal matters inside the appendix and the resulting inflammation. That is what Faecal impaction can cause in the long run. Fecal impaction is the concrete-like solidification of fecal matters in the wall of the colon. This stone-like fecal solid stays in the bowel. As a result, this can cause non-movement of feces.

Constipation is the major cause of fecal impaction and it happens mostly because of wrong food habits. Some of the reasons for constipation are

• Food low in fiber
• Not dehydrating yourself properly
• Insufficient nutrient intake
• Problems in the digestive system
• Certain medications
• Prolonged hospital admissions and being bed-ridden

Constipation caused has the potential to lead to fecal impaction. People with fecal impaction are at higher risk in developing appendicitis. Read more about Faecal Impaction here.

Video of Dr. Maran who performs appendix removal surgery on Appendicitis

Here is a video of Dr. Maran, the leading gastro surgeon in Chennai who has performed many appendix removal surgery in Chennai. In this short video, Dr. Maran explains what is an appendix organ and what to do in case of appendicitis.

Who are vulnerable to appendicitis?

Data suggests that people between the age of 10 and 40 are the most vulnerable to develop appendicitis. This does not mean that appendicitis does not happen to people who are above 40. As a matter of fact, it does happen.

Generally speaking not only constipation but there are other reasons like genetics, etc. They play a role in developing appendicitis leading to the subsequent appendix removal surgery.

What are the Initial Symptoms of Appendicitis

• Dull aching pain starts near the naval area
• Mild Fever
• Vomiting

The Later Symptoms of Appendicitis

• Pain more localized in the lower right abdomen
• Pain becomes more intense and catchy
• High Fever
• Vomiting
• White cell count increases because the body is fighting infection

General Diagnosis of Appendicitis

Generally, when there is stomach pain, we tend to go to a general physician and not to an appendicitis surgeon. A well experienced general physician generally would do a thorough physical examination. If the physician suspects appendicitis, the physician would definitely refer you to an experienced gastro surgeon.

But in some cases, the general physician would administer an antibiotic and suppress the pain. This, in fact, is a challenge. If the initial symptoms are present, it is better to visit a GI surgeon. The GI surgeon should rule out appendicitis.

We wrote a blog post on the easy availability of antibiotics these days. In that blog, we have discussed how antibiotics rather impact the treatment of appendicitis. You can read the blog here.

The appendix surgeon, on the other hand, does a thorough physical examination. Experienced gastro surgeons can tell the presence of appendicitis by physical examination. They routinely perform appendix removal surgery and that is the reason. However to confirm the appendicitis surgeon would recommend Ultrasound or CT Scan.

Here is a CT Scan picture showing three scenarios. A normal appendix, an appendix with acute appendicitis and an appendix with rupture.

Here is another picture that shows the ultrasound image of a ruptured appendix. An ultrasound or CT scan confirms a rupture in the appendix. The appendix surgeon performs an appendix removal surgery immediately if the report confirms.

General Diagnostic Challenges of Appendicitis

Loss of appetite, pain in the right lower abdomen and vomiting, are typical symptoms of appendicitis. As a matter of fact, these symptoms manifest only in 50% of people with appendicitis. Generally, the diagnostic accuracy of appendicitis is more in men than in women.

General Diagnostic Challenges of Appendicitis in women

The pain caused by appendicitis in the right lower abdomen can mimic other abdominal medical conditions. So this confusion adds to the challenges. Women suffer from abdominal pain associated with menstruation, ovarian cyst, right side kidney stones, etc. Such pain mimics the appendicitis symptom too. Hence all these factors are challenges to a proper clinical diagnosis of appendicitis. So if there is a general suspicion, an ultrasound report can help to rule out appendicitis.

General Diagnostic Challenges of Appendicitis in children

Young Children may not exactly tell what and where the pain is. It is, therefore, the duty of the pediatrician or physician to observe the symptoms carefully and report.

We wrote a detailed post on the challenges faced in finding appendicitis in children. You can read the blog here.

General Diagnosis of Appendicitis

This early stage of the appendix is treated with simple antibiotics. However, the risk remains. The qualified gastro surgeon decides the surgical need. The appendicitis surgeon recommends appendix removal surgery only after assessing the patient. Even if initially treated medically with antibiotics, after many years it may warrant surgical removal. Laparoscopic procedures are effective in early removal of the inflamed or infected appendix. The easy laparoscopic approach makes recovery from surgery very simple.

What happens if Appendicitis is not treated?

The inflammation worsens if appendicitis is not treated. It may then lead to the rupturing of the wall of the appendix. This rupture is commonly referred to as bursting of the appendix. This condition is medically termed as “Peritonitis”. The increase in the inflammation, as a result, causes the appendix wall to rupture. Consequently, the feces and other infected matters leak into the abdomen and aggravate the infection leading to Abdomen Sepsis. An untreated infection enters the bloodstream and causes Septicaemia.

If Appendix bursts or ruptures the symptoms will be

• The abdomen becomes tight like a stone (board like rigidity)
• Severe Fever
• Severe vomiting and pain
• The patient becomes toxic because of Septicaemia

If Appendicitis proceeds to this condition, it is a surgical emergency. Therefore, the patient is moved immediately to the hospital for appendix removal surgery. The appendix surgeon cleans the inner abdomen first in the surgery.

Our detailed blog post link on what happens if the appendix ruptures are here.

Abscess – The other complication of a ruptured appendix

One of the other complications of a burst appendix is the formation of something called abscess. Consequently, abscess forms around the area where the burst has happened. It is a collection of pus around the area. This collection of pus is because the body’s immune system has been fighting the infection all along.

The treatment for an abscess is usually administering antibiotics. The appendicitis surgeon drains the pus in the abscess area during appendectomy surgery. The appendicitis surgeon drains before administering the antibiotics. This draining is mandatory as part of the cleaning of the abdomen during the appendectomy surgery or appendix removal surgery.

Surgical procedures after appendix wall ruptures

The patient’s abdomen area now has feces and other infected matters leaked inside. The appendix surgeon cleans this thoroughly. It is imperative that the abdomen is free of all these foreign and toxic materials. The appendicitis surgeon cleans and ensures the same. If the patient has an abscess then pus collects in the appendix region. The appendicitis surgeon completely drains this out along with the fecal matters.

The appendicitis surgeon proceeds to remove the appendix after the abdomen cleaning the abdomen. The patient is under observation and the surgeon prescribes medications. As a matter of fact, medications include antibiotics. This is to overcome the infections caused by the ruptured appendix.

Is Appendicitis Preventable?

No. Appendicitis is not preventable. Because appendicitis affects anyone. There is no strong proof linking this surgical condition to any other factors. Generally, people with constipation and younger have a higher chance of getting appendicitis.

So it’s any day better to consume foods high in fiber content to have normal bowel movements. Greens like Murunga Keerai, vegetables like carrot, fruits like banana, millets like Varagu, are an especially rich source of fiber. The above are just examples of some food available in India which is rich in fiber. So include these foods liberally in your diet. Furthermore, be conscious of foods that cause constipation. Junk foods, food heavily laden with preservatives, added artificial flavors, etc, cause stress to our digestive system. It is better to avoid consuming such foods.

Appendicitis happens due to many reasons. A good food habit has nothing to with getting or not getting appendicitis.

A conclusion by Dr. Maran – Appendicitis in a nutshell

Dr. Maran is a gastro surgeon who regularly does appendix removal surgery in Chennai. He explains to us that, appendicitis can happen to anyone. Therefore, Dr Maran advises us, not to ignore any pain in the stomach. According to Dr. Maran who performs Appendix Surgery in Chennai, appendicitis is easily cured in the early stages. In conclusion, he tells us that removing the appendix by surgical means is the only solution.