The appendectomy
Pili wrote to us this week. Pili has a seven-year-old son who, because of the pain in the baby's stomach, becomes alarmed by the thought of appendicitis, although in the end, none of this has happened. That’s why Pili wants to know if appendicitis is only diagnosed when there is no other option but to have a quick operation.
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the intestine or the appendix that is noticed by the pain felt in the lower right part of the abdomen. Appendicitis is difficult to diagnose and, in most cases, surgery is needed to remove the inflamed appendix.
There are two ways to remove the appendix. One is an open technique: an incision is made in the abdomen and then the appendix is grasped with hooks and removed. The other technique is laparoscopy, in which several small incisions are made to introduce surgical instruments. For a larger surgical site and better visibility, the abdomen is filled with carbon dioxide during laparoscopy to inflate the abdominal area. A tube with a special camera is also inserted into the abdomen to allow doctors to see the appendix from the screen.
With laparoscopy, the wounds are smaller and the postoperative periods are shorter. But the equipment is more expensive, and a specially trained team is needed for this technique. It is increasingly used in hospitals.
Buletina
Bidali zure helbide elektronikoa eta jaso asteroko buletina zure sarrera-ontzian