The appendix (uh-PEN-dix) is a narrow, finger-shaped organ located in the lower right side of the belly. It is connected to the large intestine, and has no function in humans. Appendectomy (app-pen-DECK-toe-me) is done as an emergency surgery for appendicitis because the appendix has become inflamed (swollen) and needs to be removed. If it is not removed, it could burst and cause infection called peritonitis (per-i-toe-NY-tus ) in the abdomen. A laparoscopic (lap-a-ro- SKOPP-ik) or “lap” appendectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the appendix through several small incisions, rather than through one large one. Recovery time from the lap appendectomy is short.

Preparing For The Surgery

Most patients who need a lap appendectomy enter the hospital through the Emergency Department and are taken to surgery within a few hours. Your child will be given antibiotics first and then be taken to surgery.

Apediatric anesthesiologist — a doctor who specializes in anesthesia for children — will meet with you before the surgery to ask questions about your child’s health and about when your child last ate. This information is important because many patients with appendicitis appear to have a full stomach because of irritation from the inflamed appendix. Because your child may have eaten more recently than is usually advised for surgery, the anesthesiologist may make adjustments to your child’s anesthesia so that he or she does not vomit during the operation. Once admitted, your child will not be able to have anything to eat or drink until after the operation.

Fast Facts about Laparoscopic Appendectomy

• Appendectomy is an operation to remove the appendix when it has become inflamed; an inflamed appendix is called appendicitis (uh-pen-di-SIGH-tus).
• Appendicitis must be treated with surgery right away; if left untreated, the appendix could rupture (burst) and cause a life-threatening or fatal infection.
• Your child’s surgery will be done under general anesthesia (an-es-THEEZ-ya), which means that he or she will be asleep during the surgery.
• The surgery will take about 1 hour.
• Your child will most likely go home within 24 to 36 hours after the surgery. If there is infection from the appendix bursting, he or she will be in the hospital from 5 to 7 days.

Most lumps are not cancerous, but women should have them checked by a health care professional.