Most patients will be fully recovered in one to two weeks and can resume some normal activities, such as driving, walking and some duties at work; however, do not lift, push or pull any heavy objects until you are cleared by your surgeon.
Alternative Names
Appendix removal; appendix surgery
Three incisions are made while the patient is under general anesthesia. A tiny camera is inserted to visualize and magnify the organs. The appendix is removed thr ough one of the three tiny incisions.
Three tiny incisions are made in the lower right abdomen.
In most cases, patients stay no more than a day. In some cases, patients may be discharged the same day.
Most patients are fully recovered within one to two weeks.
The surgeon may recommend an open procedure due to a patient’s weight or history of prior abdominal surgery that has left scar tissue, making visualization of organs with the camera more difficult.
Since the appendix is infected, it needs to be removed to ensure that the organ does not rupture. Early, non-ruptured appendix usually can be removed laparoscopically, but if the infection has advanced, it is more difficult to use this minimally invasive surgery. In these cases, the surgeon may recommend that you have an open procedure. A ruptured appendix is a life-threatening emergency, so patients should not wait to have surgery.
WakeMed has many board-certified general surgeons who perform laparoscopic appendix removal. Find a WakeMed surgeon.