• You’ll need to avoid eating and drinking for at least eight hours before the appendectomy.
• It’s also important to tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking.
• You should also tell your doctor if you may be pregnant, have been taking any medications, or have a history of bleeding disorders.
• Arrange for someone to stay with you during and after the procedure while you are getting out of anaesthesia.
• You may feel drowsy once you get out of the surgery and you will need help to attend to yourself.
• Prior to your surgery, you must schedule a consultation with your doctor who will take a detailed and complete medical history and perform a physical examination.
• You need to undergo certain blood investigations before the surgery to make sure you are physically ready for the procedure.
• During the exam, your doctor will gently palpate your abdomen to pinpoint the site of your abdominal pain and confirm it.
• Your doctor may advise imaging such as ultrasound if appendicitis is early.
• Before the procedure, you will be started on an IV so you can continue to receive the fluids and medication required.
• The procedure will be performed under general anaesthesia, and you will stay asleep during surgery.

How is the procedure done?

• General anaesthesia will be administered during the laparoscopic appendectomy.
•  During a laparoscopic appendectomy, your surgeon will start with a tiny incision in the abdomen
•  A tiny port will be inserted into the incision, and through the port, a tiny tube called a cannula is introduced.
• The cannula will be used to inflate your abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide gas.
•  This increases the volume of the surgical area and makes more room for the surgeon to operate more precisely.
• The expansion enables the abdominal cavity and its contents to be visualised better.
• The cannula is removed and a laparoscope- which is a long and thin tube with a small light and a high-resolution camera at the end, is inserted.
• The camera captures images and displays the surgery on a video screen, allowing the surgeon to locate the appendix and guide the instruments through one to three tiny incisions
• More ports are inserted for long and narrow instruments to be introduced into the abdominal cavity
• The appendix is disconnected from the rest of the area and is removed outside through one of the incisions.
• A small plastic tube called a “drain” may be used to drain blood and fluids from the surgical area and facilitate healing and recovery
• Based on the recovery of the patient, the drain will be removed within a week following the surgery.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Appendectomy

The most common advantages of laparoscopic surgery are:

• You experience less pain after surgery
• The risk and extent of blood loss are greatly minimised
• The need for blood transfusion is reduced.
• A smaller scar than that of a traditional open surgery
• The duration of stay in the hospital is shorter as compared to an open surgery
• You may resume your routine faster and carry on with your normal activities
• You may resume normal bowel movements sooner than with an open procedure.
• The possibilities of risks and complications associated with open surgery are eliminated
• The chances of infection following a surgical procedure are reduced
• Any coexisting pathology found during the surgery will be easily identified and the course of action.
• The aesthetic results are better in terms of healing and minimise scars.

How to take care of yourself after a Laparoscopic Appendectomy?

• Follow the diet instructions as prescribed and advised.
• You may need to use a mild laxative for a couple of days following the surgery
• Drink plenty of water every day to help prevent constipation.
• Make sure you have adequate rest and eat an adequate diet to speed up your recovery
• Avoid lifting weights and climbing stairs and give your abdominal muscles rest
• Constipation is to be expected while on narcotic pain medication.

Complications of Laparoscopic Appendectomy

• You may experience shoulder pain after a laparoscopic appendectomy. The pain medication prescribed will help you soothe the pain
• Wash with warm water and soap before touching the area close to an incision site.
• Refraining from wearing tight clothing: This could rub against the incision sites and cause discomfort.
• Holding a pillow over the stomach: Use this to apply firm pressure before coughing or moving to minimise strain over the area of surgery

FAQs