Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Appendectomy—Open Surgery

by Editorial Staff and Contributors

Related Media: Appendectomy

Definition

An appendectomy is the removal of the appendix. The appendix is a pouch that is attached to the large intestine.

Reasons for Procedure

An appendectomy is often done as an emergency procedure to treat appendicitis. Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. It can be caused by an infection or obstruction.

Appendicitis

Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

Bleeding
Infection
Damage to other organs
Reaction to anesthesia

Complications are more common in people older than 65 years of age. Some risk factors that make complications more likely include:

Smoking
Ruptured appendix
Obesity
Diabetes
Chronic lung or heart disease
Pregnancy

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

Physical exam
Blood and urine tests
Your doctor may need detailed pictures of your appendix. These can be made with:

Antibiotics will be started right away. Appendicitis is an emergency condition. Surgery is almost always done right away.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep during the procedure.

Description of the Procedure

A short incision will be made in the right lower abdomen. The appendix can be viewed through this incision. The appendix will be detached from surrounding tissue. Any bleeding from the blood vessels will be stopped. The appendix will then be tied off and cut out. The incisions will then be closed with stitches or staples.

If the appendix has ruptured, a warm water solution mixed with antibiotics will be used to wash out the inside of the abdomen. A catheter will then be placed to drain any fluid that builds up. Sometimes, with a rupture, the surgeon will only close the muscle layers and leave the skin open. The open skin wound will then be packed with a moist gauze dressing.

After Procedure

The removed tissue is examined by a pathologist.

How Long Will It Take?

1-2 hours

Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.

Average Hospital Stay

You may be in the hospital for up to 3 days. If you have any problems, you may need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

Right after the procedure, you will be in a recovery room where your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing will be monitored. Recovery may also include:

Pain medications
Antibiotics to prevent infection
Medication to prevent blood clots
Getting out of bed and moving around within 24 hours of your surgery

If your appendix ruptured, drainage tubes will be removed after a few days.

Your bowels will work more slowly than usual. Chewing gum may help speed the process of your bowel function returning to normal.

At Home

Recovery takes about 4-6 weeks. When you return home:

Rest and take it easy for 1-2 weeks. Slowly increase activities as approved by your doctor.
Do not exercise or do heavy lifting for one or more weeks as directed by your doctor.
Care for the incision as instructed to prevent infection.

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if any of these occur:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Increased redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge at the incision site
Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
Increased abdominal pain
Lightheadedness or fainting
Passing blood in the stool

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

American College of Surgeons
https://www.facs.org

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
https://www.niddk.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
https://www.cag-acg.org

The College of Family Physicians of Canada
http://www.cfpc.ca

References:

Appendectomy. Johns Hopkins Medicine website. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/gastroenterology/appendectomy_92,P07686. Accessed January 10, 2018.

Appendectomy. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated March 2013. Accessed January 10, 2018.

Appendicitis in adolescents and adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed... . Updated October 25, 2017. Accessed January 10, 2018.

Short V, Herbert G, Perry R, et al. Chewing gum for postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2:CD006506.

6/2/2011 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed... : Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.

Last reviewed November 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daus Mahnke, MD
Last Updated: 03/23/2015

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