Does appendicitis surgery require an incision?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on October 29, 2024
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Appendicitis surgery can be performed through traditional open surgery or minimally invasive treatment. Open surgery involves a traditional incision at McBurney's point to remove the appendix, which is now rarely used, predominantly replaced by minimally invasive treatment under laparoscopy. The procedure is the same for both methods, involving ligation of the appendicular artery followed by cutting the appendix at its base and suturing the stump. The advantages of minimally invasive surgery include less intraoperative bleeding, faster postoperative recovery, and less physical trauma. Patients can choose between open surgery or minimally invasive treatment based on their personal circumstances and financial conditions.

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Does chronic appendicitis cause a high fever?

Chronic appendicitis is just a common gastrointestinal disease. Generally, chronic appendicitis does not involve fever. However, a low-grade fever may occur when the inflammation in some cases of chronic appendicitis is not well-controlled. A small percentage of chronic appendicitis can acutely flare up and lead to a purulent infection, causing purulent appendicitis, which may lead to perforation of the appendix, diffuse peritonitis, septic shock, and high fever. Therefore, it is essential to actively treat chronic appendicitis, and early surgical intervention is recommended.

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Gastroenterology
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Will there be a scar from appendicitis surgery?

Appendectomy can leave scars, especially more noticeable in people prone to scarring. Currently, there is a minimally invasive treatment that involves the removal of the appendix under laparoscopy. This method only requires three small incisions on the abdomen, resulting in smaller scars and a faster postoperative recovery. The traditional method, which involves making an incision at McBurney's point, leaves a slightly larger scar and has a slower recovery process. After recovery, the application of aloe vera can help reduce scarring. It is important to take good care of the incision, eat plenty of vegetables to prevent constipation, and protect the incision. At least two weeks of rest is necessary after the surgery, during which vigorous exercise should be avoided.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Appendicitis surgery, how many days to discharge?

This is directly related to the surgical method. If it is a laparoscopic appendectomy, this is a minimally invasive treatment, and recovery is quick; patients generally can be discharged from the hospital three days post-surgery, and sutures can be removed at a scheduled follow-up visit. If it is the traditional surgery method through McBurney's point incision, this method also allows for quick recovery, and patients can be discharged after the sutures are removed. Additionally, this also relates to the patient's physique and the severity of their condition. For elderly patients, the hospital stay may be extended. If the appendix has a clear perforation or causes diffuse peritonitis, the use of antibiotics must be intensified post-surgery, hence extending the treatment period. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor)

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Early symptoms of appendicitis

What are the initial symptoms of appendicitis? It is characterized by abdominal pain. The main symptom is abdominal pain that appears around the upper abdomen or navel, and some patients may also experience nausea and vomiting. Generally, two to three hours later, the abdominal pain gradually shifts to the lower right abdomen, which we clinically refer to as migratory right lower abdominal pain. This symptom accounts for about 80% of clinical cases, while some patients present directly with pain in the lower right abdomen, without transitional abdominal pain. Therefore, the primary symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain, as described in these two scenarios. However, physical examination is also very important, typically revealing localized fixed tenderness in the lower right abdomen as the main clinical manifestation.

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Causes of Appendicitis

The appendix is connected to the cecum at one end, has a narrow lumen, and is rich in lymphatic tissue. The anatomical basis of the appendix makes it prone to inflammation. Generally, appendicitis is caused by different obstructions in the appendix, such as fecaliths, fecal masses, food residues, and parasites like roundworms, which can all lead to obstruction of the appendix and trigger acute appendicitis. Additionally, gastrointestinal dysfunction can also cause spasms and contractions of the muscles in the appendix wall, affecting the emptying of the appendix and its blood circulation, leading to inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis requires timely treatment, and surgery might be necessary for symptomatic support.