What is the appendix?
The appendix is a tube-like organ which is a few centimeters long. It is attached to the beginning of your large intestine, or colon. This is usually below and to the right of your belly button.
You probably know that the appendix can become inflamed. If the appendix needs to be removed, you can live without your appendix and not develop any long term issues.
How is a Laparoscopic Appendectomy Performed?
You will have general anesthesia for your laparoscopic appendectomy. This means that you are asleep during surgery. When surgery is finished, the surgeon closes your incisions with tiny stitches, staples, surgical tape or glue.
Once you are asleep, the surgeon makes an incision near your belly button and inserts a small device called a port. The port creates an opening that your surgeon can use to fill the abdomen with gas. This creates space to do the operation. Next, a small camera is inserted through the port. The camera shows the surgery on a screen in the operating room. Once the surgeon can see clearly, they put in more ports to insert long, narrow instruments.
Advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy
The results may vary depending upon the type of surgery and your general health. But the most common advantages of laparoscopic surgery are:
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A smaller scar
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Having normal bowel movements sooner
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Getting back to normal activity faster
