Category Archives: Appendix Surgery

Video of laparoscopic appendectomy showing removal of an inflamed appendix.

Open Technique

Indications

Appendicitis – acute or subacute process that causes the lumen of the appendix (which is a blind sac) to become obstructed with buildup of pressure and eventual rupture.

Mass – rarely an appendiceal mass is found on CT scan or during intra-abdominal surgery (laparotomy)

Abscess – if found secondary to appendicitis it must be drained. If it is diagnosed preoperatively care currently is to have an interventional radiologist (a radiologist who does procedures) drain the abscess via a percutaneously (through the skin) placed catheter that is left in place to decompress the cavity and allow it to “heal from the inside out”. The appendix is then removed at about 6 weeks. If it is found during surgery it must be decompressed and a drain left in place in the abcess cavity by the surgeon.