What is this procedure?
This is removal of the appendix or bowel through keyhole surgery.
Why would you need the operation (indication)?
Commonly this is for appendicitis or for bowel cancer.
What symptoms would you experience with this problem?
With appendicitis you get pain on the right lower side of you abdomen.
This may be associated with vomiting and fever.
With bowel cancer, this may have been detected at colonoscopy or CT
scan.
How do you know for sure that you have the condition therefore you
need this operation?
You will usually be quite unwell with appendicitis. The surgeon will
examine you to confirm the diagnosis.
What scar will you have and what does the procedure involve?
For appendicectomy with keyhole surgery, the scar includes one around
the belly button, one below that and one on the left lower side of your
abdomen. This allows the camera and instruments to be inserted for the
operation. With a bowel resection, you may have 1 or 2 more scars on
the left side of your abdomen for extra instruments to be inserted.
Should the keyhole surgery be not possible for any reason, you may have
a scar of about 8-10cm on the right lower side of the abdomen for
appendicectomy, or a scar running down vertically in the mideline of your
abdomen. This is then call open surgery.
What anaesthetic will I have and do I have a choice?
You will need a general anaesthetic.
What are the possible complications and what are the chances that they
occur?
If you a fit, the risk of complications is very low. Even when a segment of
bowel need to be removed then joined together, the risk of the join
leaking is usually very low also. If the surgeon determine that the risk of
leakage at the join is too high, you may have to have a temporary "bag"
(stoma).
What to expect after the operation?
Depending on how big the operation becomes, if it is just your appendix
that is removed then usually you should be able to go home the next day.
Otherwise you may have to be in hospital a few days for monitoring.
Should I not be doing certain things after the operation?
Usualy precaution applies interms of no heavy lifting as to avoid any
hernia occuring.
How long should I be off work?
You should have at least 1 week off work. If your surgery is bigger then
you may require a longer time off.
When will I see my surgeon for review?
Your surgeon will see you within 2 weeks after the operation.
Is there long term follow-up with my surgeon?
Depending on what was removed, you may be required for further follow
up. However, if it is for appendicitis then no.