Appendectomy

An appendectomy is the removal of the vermiform appendix. The appendix is located at the tip of your large intestine. This procedure can be done laporascopically, or as an open surgery.
The procedure for an open appendectomy is as follows:

1. Antibiotics are given immediately if there are signs of sepsis, otherwise a single dose of prophylactic intravenous antibiotics is given immediately prior to surgery.
2. General anaesthesia is induced, with endotracheal intubation and full muscle relaxation, and the patient is positioned supine.
3. The abdomen is prepared and draped and is examined under anesthesia.
4. If a mass is present, the incision is made over the mass; otherwise, the incision is made over McBurney's point, one third of the way from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the umbilicus; this represents the position of the base of the appendix (the position of the tip is variable).
5. The various layers of the abdominal wall are then opened.
6. The effort is always to preserve the integrity of abdominal wall. Therefore, the External Oblique Aponeurosis is slitted along its fiber, and the internal oblique muscle is split along its length, not cut. As the two run at right angles to each other, this prevents later Incisional hernia.
7. On entering the peritoneum, the appendix is identified, mobilized and then ligated and divided at its base.
8. Some surgeons choose to bury the stump of the appendix by inverting it so it points into the caecum.
9. Each layer of the abdominal wall is then closed in turn.
10. The skin may be closed with staples or stitches.
11. The wound is dressed.
12. The patient will be brought to the recovery room.