Appendix removal (appendicectomy) Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, February 2009.
Answers to questions about appendix removal (appendicectomy)
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- How do I know if a young child has appendicitis?
- What's a grumbling appendix?
- Are all right-sided lower abdominal pains appendicitis?
- What is natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES)?
How do I know if a young child has appendicitis?
If your child looks unwell and is complaining of tummy pains, has a high temperature or is vomiting then you should get your child seen by a doctor immediately.
Explanation
Appendicitis is common in young adults and children over six years old, but it can happen in younger children. The pain may be elsewhere in the abdomen (for example around the belly button) and not necessarily in the lower abdomen. Bowel infection (peritonitis) can develop quickly in young children and is an emergency. If you have any concerns that your child has pain in the abdomen and is becoming ill, you should seek urgent medical advice.
Sources
- Hwang MY. Detecting appendicitis in children. JAMA 1999; 282(11):1102
What's a grumbling appendix?
Grumbling appendix is an old-fashioned name given to pain in the lower abdomen that isn't severe enough to lead to hospital treatment.
Explanation
Pain in the lower abdomen is common and may be short-lived or not severe enough to lead to hospital treatment. Many patients who develop acute appendicitis describe previous pain that was very similar. No doubt this pain sometimes comes from the appendix but doesn't progress to 'full-blown' appendicitis. Often the pain is from an unrelated cause and it usually settles spontaneously. Your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics if he or she suspects a urinary infection.
Sources
- Hwang MY. Detecting appendicitis in children. JAMA 1999; 282(11):1102
Are all right-sided lower abdominal pains appendicitis?
No, a right-sided pain isn't always due to appendicitis.
Explanation
There are many reasons why you may have abdominal pain on your right side. Appendicitis is however, very common and needs to be considered in most cases. In young women, people over 40 or those with recurrent or unusual abdominal pain a laparoscopy (keyhole procedure) is very helpful in ruling out other causes. A laparoscopy allows your surgeon to examine your abdomen without having to make a large cut into your abdomen.
Sources
- Personal communication, Mr Simon Phillips, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, University Hospital of Wales Cardiff, 21 August 2008.
- Sauerlands S, Leferingr R, Neugebauer EAM. Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD001546. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001546.pub2. www.cochrane.org
What is natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES)?
Natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES) allows surgeons to use natural openings in the body (like the vagina, mouth or rectum) to access abdominal organs.
Explanation
Natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES) is considered by many leading expert surgeons to be the next step in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This is a rapidly evolving area of preclinical research and several groups worldwide are developing this surgical approach. In this new surgical technique, abdominal operations are performed using the mouth, rectum, or vagina as the ports of entry to the peritoneal cavity instead of surface cuts on the abdominal wall. NOTES offers all the advantages of MIS. It also completely eliminates trauma to the abdominal wall and the complications associated with surgical cuts in the abdominal wall. A NOTES procedure leaves no visible scarring and could also potentially reduce post-operative pain and recovery time.
The NOTES procedure is unlikely to be used to remove the appendix because laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery takes 30 minutes to perform and leaves only two or three tiny scars.
Sources
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: Using Natural Orifices (NOTES). US National Institutes of Health. www.clinicaltrials.gov, accessed 29 August 2008
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: February 2009
Appendix removal (appendicectomy) factsheet
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