Laparoscopic appendectomy: Purpose, Procedure, Benefits and Side Effects

Laparoscopic appendectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the appendix. It is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning it uses small incisions rather than one larger incision.

• Open appendectomy: This procedure is done through a single incision in the abdomen.
• Laparoscopic appendectomy: This procedure is done through several small incisions in the abdomen and a laparoscope is inserted to view the appendix. The appendix is then removed using special surgical instruments.
• Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILAPP): This procedure is done through a single incision in the abdomen and a laparoscope is inserted to view the appendix. The appendix is then removed using special surgical instruments.
• Robotic-assisted laparoscopic appendectomy: This procedure uses a robotic device to help remove the appendix, with the surgeon controlling all movements from outside of the body.

• Reduced Postoperative Pain: Patients who undergo laparoscopic surgery experience less postoperative pain compared to those who receive a traditional open appendectomy. This is due to the smaller incisions and reduced amount of tissue trauma associated with laparoscopy.
• Less Scarring: As the surgical openings used in laparoscopic surgeries are considerably smaller than those used in traditional open surgeries, the amount of visible scarring is significantly reduced.
• Reduced Risk of Infection: Laparoscopy reduces the risk of surgical site infections by allowing surgeons to more precisely manipulate and seal off both internal organs and vessels that could potentially be compromised during traditional open follow-up procedures.
• Lower Hospital Stay Cost: Laparoscopic appendectomies typically require far less time in the operating room which means that patients can expect to be discharged from hospital much earlier, reducing their overall hospital stay cost and recuperation time at home or in a medical facility as they recover from surgery.
• Faster Recovery Time: Last but not least, patients who undergo a laparoscopic appendectomy can expect a much faster recovery timeline compared to those undergoing an open surgery procedure — often healing within 2-4 weeks rather than 4-6 for an open procedure.

It is done to treat appendicitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the appendix caused by bacteria or other foreign substances.

• Risk of excessive bleeding.
• Risk of infection.
• Risk of damage to other organs or structures.
• Risk of injury to the abdominal wall or diaphragm.
• Risk of blood clots in the legs (DVT).
• Risk of anaesthesia-related complications, such as breathing and heart problems.
• Risk of postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting.

To prepare for a laparoscopic appendectomy, you should:-

• Speak with your doctor: Prior to the surgery, you'll need to speak with your doctor so they can go over your medical history and ask any necessary questions. Make sure to ask any questions that you have about the procedure and what to expect afterwards.
• Avoid certain medications or supplements: Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking certain medications or supplements several days prior to the surgery, such as blood thinners, aspirin, and ibuprofen.
• Arrange transportation home from the hospital: You'll likely require someone else to drive you home from the hospital after your surgery due to anaesthesia or pain medications administered during the procedure.
• Wear comfortable clothing on the day of the procedure: On the day of your procedure, wear loose-fitting clothes that are comfortable for lying down on an exam table and can be quickly removed if needed since you'll likely need to change into a hospital gown when preparing for surgery if it’s an inpatient procedure.
• Ask about follow-up instructions: After surgery, make sure to discuss instructions for care after leaving the hospital with your surgeon so can ensure proper healing; this may include advice such as taking antibiotics if instructed.
• Discuss potential risks: Be aware that like any surgical procedures Laparoscopic Appendectomy carries certain risks including infection, bleeding,organ injury pain etc so discuss it out extensively with Doctor family members before making decision regarding Surgery.

• During a laparoscopic appendectomy, a surgeon makes several small cuts near the belly button and inserts a tiny camera called a laparoscope to view the internal organs.
• The doctor then creates space between the abdominal organs by pumping gas into the abdomen.
• This allows them to operate without making large incisions in the abdomen.
• Once space is created, two or three more small incisions are made where other instruments such as forceps, scissors and probes can be used to remove or repair any parts as needed.
• The appendix is typically cut away or stitched closed during this surgery and then removed through one of the incisions in the abdomen.
• Afterward, each of these cuts are closed with stitches and covered with adhesive tape or some type of bandage wrap.

• should fast for 8 - 12 hours prior to the surgery.
• should not take any kind of medicine or supplements before the surgery.
• Healthcare team will assess the patient's physical condition and medical history and estimate expected blood loss during the surgery and prepare appropriate blood transfusion solutions if needed.

• The Doctors’ team will make four (4) small incisions in the lower right abdomen area, referred to as 'ports'.
• The ports are then used to insert tools, such as a laparoscopy and laparoscopic grasper.
• The laparoscope is used to provide video imaging of abdominal organs so that they can be seen on a monitor while performing surgery.
• The laparoscopic grasper is used to grab and move affected tissues so that they can be viewed more clinically without causing damage or trauma.
• Once a clear image of the appendix is obtained, it is cut away from any surrounding tissue using an energy source such as electric current or bipolar energy (ESBE).
• After being separated from surrounding tissue, suction forceps may be used to remove it from the body entirely through one of the ports in a process called “extraction” or “retrieval” surgical technique.
• Once extracted, hemostasis (a procedure for controlling bleeding) may be applied if necessary with suturing material or clips before closing the port sites with sutures around them for additional closure if needed.
• Finally once all these steps have taken place, the surgeon proceeds with closing up the patient's abdomen with sutures and/or staples followed by dressing around incision sites in order to sufficiently prevent potential postoperative infection while healing following appendectomy.

• The port sites are inspected and closed with sterile sutures, metal clips, or other special instruments.
• The specimen is removed and sent to the laboratory for evaluation.
• A drain may be left in place to reduce the risk of infection.
• Drains may be removed after 24-48 hours in most cases, depending on drainage output and clinical decision by the physician.
• The patient must follow all postoperative instructions given by their doctor such as taking antibiotics, refraining from physical exertion, and keeping the wound clean and dry until healing is complete.
• After two weeks post-surgery, a follow-up appointment should be scheduled with your doctor to ensure that all incision sites are healing correctly.
• When approved by your doctor, gradually increasing levels of physical activity is safe and can speed up the healing process.

The cost of Laparoscopic appendectomy in India can vary depending on the city and hospital, but it typically costs anywhere between 25,000-60,000 rupees.

Generally, private hospitals charge more for Laparoscopic appendectomy than public ones.

Here are some general tips to keep in mind:-

• Stick to a soft-food diet: Eat foods that are easy to digest such as broths, soups, smoothies and plain cooked grains such as rice or oatmeal.
• Include protein-rich foods: Make sure to include plenty of lean proteins into your diet, such as chicken, white fish, eggs and dairy products like Greek yoghurt or cottage cheese.
• Eat small meals throughout the day: Eating smaller meals more frequently can help reduce possible digestive discomfort from a large meal, or from food that is difficult to digest all at once.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids is important for your recovery, so make sure to drink at least 8 cups (64 oz) of water each day.
• Add probiotic supplements: If your digestion feels sluggish post-surgery, consider taking a probiotic supplement which can help promote better absorption and assimilation of nutrients by restoring bacterial balance in the gut microbiome and helping reduce postoperative symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain.

Yes, Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe procedure.With the advances in technology and improvements of skill and experience in surgeons, laparoscopic appendectomy has become much safer than ever before.

Yes, Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe procedure. With the advances in technology and improvements of skill and experience in surgeons, laparoscopic appendectomy has become much safer than ever before.

• The average recovery time after a laparoscopic appendectomy is 3 to 10 days.
• Most people can return to their normal activities in 1 to 2 weeks.
• Most of the pain and discomfort associated with the procedure resolves within 1 week.
• It may take up to 4 weeks for the abdominal incision to fully heal.

Common side effects include:

• Minor pain or soreness at the incision site.
• Bloating, gas, and mild constipation.
• Mild nausea.
• A slight fever.
• Feeling tired for up to several weeks.
• Rarely, infection at the incision site.

• After the laparoscopic appendectomy, the patient should take a few days off from work or school to rest and recover.
• It is advisable to avoid strenuous activities, such as lifting heavy objects, for at least two weeks after surgery.
• Ice therapy may be used to help relieve any post-surgery pain and swelling.
• Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fluids is recommended for quicker healing.
• Avoid drinking alcohol for at least two weeks after surgery or until cleared to do so by the doctor.
• The patient will be prescribed antibiotics to prevent any infection from developing in the wound after surgery and should take them as directed by their physician.
• In some cases, additional tests may be required four to six weeks after surgery; your physician will advise you on this if necessary.
• Follow-up visits with your surgeon are also important in order to monitor your recovery and check for any possible complications that could arise after the appendectomy.

Laparoscopic appendectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove the appendix. It is less invasive than traditional open surgery and offers several benefits including reduced postoperative pain, less scarring, reduced risk of infection, faster recovery time and lower hospital stay costs.It is important to discuss all risks and potential side effects with your doctor before undergoing the procedure. Additionally, it is important to follow all preoperative and post-operative instructions provided by your physician in order to ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of any possible complications.