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Appendectomy |
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Appendectomy is a surgery performed by removal of the appendix through a small incision. Before the surgery, the patients are prepared for the procedure by administration of antibiotics to lower the risk of infection as much as possible. The individual is given a spinal or a general anesthetic. The abdomen is washed with soap and antiseptic and is draped so that only the area where the incision will be made is exposed. Appendectomy may be done by different methods. The surgeon makes an incision in the lower right abdomen that is no larger than he thinks will be needed to perform the surgery. If the appendix is in classic position, he will reach in through the incision, and grab the end of the large intestine nearest the appendix (the cecum) with a gauze pad, bringing it outside the body. If the appendix is found in another area, enough of the ligaments holding the colon are cut to allow it to be brought outside the body. The appendix is cut away from the membrane that holds it against the cecum and the end of the small intestine. A suture is placed through the cecum in a wide ring around the base of the appendix. The base of the appendix is tied off with a suture, and the appendix is placed on a pad of sterile gause, clamped off, and cut at the base. At this point during appendectomy, some doctors chose to use an electrocautery device to make sure the base of the appendix is sealed. The stump of the appendix is pushed into the large intestine, and the purse-string suture is pulled tight, sealing the wound left by the removal of the appendix. The surgeon closes all or some of the layers of tissue with sutures, and may or may not insert soft rubber drainage tubes. In cases of badly infected abdomen, only the peritoneum is sutured shut, and the other layers, such as muscle, skin, and fat are closed when the infection disappears. The main cause of death of appendectomy is delayed surgery. Peritonitis may very quickly progress to the toxemia and after to toxic shock, which may be fatal.
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| Category |
Surgery
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| Related Searches |
laparoscopic appendectomy, appendectomy surgery |
| Date Submitted |
29-Aug-2005
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