Appendicectomy
If your GP or emergency doctor suspects that you have inflammation or infection in your appendix (appendicitis), you will need to be assessed by a specialist surgeon to determine if antibiotics may be recommended or have emergency surgery to remove it as soon as possible.
Appendicitis surgery (appendicectomy) can be arranged quickly by asking your GP to contact Sunnybank Surgical or by speaking to your consulting emergency doctors about having your surgery completed by one of our experienced surgeons in your preferred hospital.
What is an appendicectomy?
The appendix is a small tubular structure. It is attached to your colon and usually found in the lower right side of your abdomen. When it becomes inflamed or infected, this condition is called appendicitis. The operation to remove the appendix is called an appendicectomy. In the majority of cases, surgery is done by laparoscopy and open surgery is rarely required.
Why do I need emergency surgery for appendicitis?
Without treatment, an inflamed appendix can become gangrenous and burst, causing bacteria and other debris (eg poo or a foreign body) to spread into your abdominal cavity – the part of your body containing your liver, stomach and intestines. Infection in this area is called peritonitis. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Removing the appendix quickly is the best way to avoid rupture. It will also allow you to begin your road towards full recovery sooner.
Another complication from appendicitis is when an abscess forms outside an inflamed appendix. An abscessed appendix leads to persisting fever from infection and requires specialist surgical attention.
Can I choose my surgeon for appendicectomy?
As a private patient, you can request that any operation to remove your appendix is done by your preferred surgeon at your preferred hospital. Sunnybank Surgical’s team of specialist surgeons consult and operate in hospitals across Brisbane, including Sunnybank Private Hospital, Mater Private Hospital Redlands and Mater Private Hospital South Brisbane.
What are the types of appendicectomy?
Our surgeons use two main surgical techniques to remove the appendix:
Laparoscopic appendicectomy – keyhole is the most common surgical approach with three small incisions made in the abdomen for instruments to be inserted.
Open appendicectomy – an incision is made through the skin, the underlying tissue and the abdominal wall in order to access the appendix. This is now rarely performed and only occurs in situations when your appendix has ruptured and a bowel resection is required.
In each case, the blood vessels that supply the appendix are ligated before the appendix is cut and removed.
What is the recovery from appendicectomy?
Most patients feel immediately better after surgery. The intense and deep pain is gone and wound pain from the three small incisions is minimal. If there are no complications, you should be able to move around quite soon after the operation and leave hospital the next day. You will receive antibiotics and painkillers and need to follow your surgeon’s advice regarding your diet, rest and activity during recovery.
If your appendix ruptures or you develop peritonitis, your recovery will be longer. Your surgeon will need to drain the infected material and disinfect your abdominal cavity. In certain situations, you may need a nasogastric tube through the nose to your stomach, and intravenous fluids, for a day or two.
Our experienced appendicectomy surgeons from Sunnybank Surgical can remove your appendix in your choice of hospital across Brisbane, including Sunnybank Private Hospital, Mater Private Hospital Redlands and Mater Private Hospital South Brisbane. Ask your GP or emergency doctors to contact the team at Sunnybank Surgical to arrange your procedure.
