Laparoscopy Appendix operation means less pain and early return to work
Laparoscopic Appendix Surgery(Appendectomy)
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. Laparoscopic Appendectomy or Appendix Removal Surgery is routinely done at almost all the top hospitals in Mumbai, India. It involves making tiny incisions in the abdomen and removing appendix through it. Laparoscopic Surgeons are extensively trained to do surgeries using laparoscope (a thin telescope) Dr Nitish Jhawar is laparoscopic & Colorectal Surgeon at Neoalta Specialty Clinic Vashi & Apollo Hospital, Navi Mumbai with more than 20 years’ experience in Laparoscopic Surgery. If appendix becomes infected it must be surgically removed (emergency appendicectomy or appendectomy) before it perforates (burst) and spreads the infection to entire abdomen (peritonitis). Burst Appendix can be dangerous and may lead to death.
Symptoms & Diagnosis of Appendicitis
What are the Symptoms of Appendicitis? 
Following are usual symptoms of appendicitis-Pain in right lower Abdomen- may worsen during walking or coughing, fever usually occur within several hours, loss of appetite, nausea vomiting, constipation chills/shaking – Appendicitis is a surgical emergency. How is Appendicitis Diagnosed? It is essentially a clinical diagnosis. There is no laboratory test or radiological test yet that is 100% diagnostic. USG and CT scan done by a good radiologist has an accuracy of greater than 90% but it may be negative. Diagnostic laparoscopy has a sensitivity and specificity of 100%.
Treatment Options Available for Appendicitis
The ideal treatment is surgical removal. Mild appendicitis may sometimes be cured with medicine(antibiotic), but removal of appendix at later date to prevent recurrence may be done which is called interval appendectomy. More serious cases are treated with emergency surgery to remove appendix. Surgeons use either an open or laparoscopic appendectomy surgery to remove appendix.
What is Laparoscopic Appendectomy?
In general anaesthesia a small incision is made at the naval and thin tube carrying the video camera is inserted .The surgeon inflates the abdomen with CO2 to provide room for surgery to be performed .Next two instruments are inserted. The instruments clears fat around the appendix, controls bleeding and ligate the base of appendix. They help to cut the appendix and it is then removed from tiny naval incision.
Preparation & Recovery for Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Preparation for Laparoscopic appendix surgery One should not eat or drink within 6-8 hrs of surgery. Patient can be admitted on day of surgery in the morning or one day in advance. Anaesthesia fitness is given by anaesthetist. Laparoscopic appendectomy operation is typically over in about 45 minutes to an hour, depending upon the operative findings. Recovery after Laparoscopic Appendectomy Once the operation is over patient is kept in the recovery room where a strict watch is kept. Post appendicectomy you patient will be kept fasting for a minimum period of 6 hours. The period of fasting may be increased depending upon how severely inflamed the appendix was. During the period of fasting IV antibiotics, pain killers and IV fluids are given. Once oral intake is resumed, depending upon bowel movements full normal diet can be resumed.
What are the Benefits of Laparoscopic Appendectomy?
- Less post-operative pain
- Faster recovery time and return to normal activity
- Shorter hospital stay
- Minimally sized incision
But every Patient may not be fit to Undergo Laparoscopic Appendectomy. Patient with cardiac disease and COPD are usually not good candidates for laparoscopic appendix surgery. Also patient on radiotherapy and immunocompromised patients cannot undergo this procedure.
Appendix operation cost in Mumbai
Cost of Laparoscopic Appendix operation in Navi Mumbai/Mumbai varies with the hospital set up and your exact diagnosis. In a small nursing home cost may be INR 50,000/- to 70,000 approx. Whereas cost in few top hospitals in Navi Mumbai may be INR 80,000/- to 1, 00,000/- approx./.
