Appendectomy

The appendix is a small, finger-shaped organ that comes out from the first part of the large intestine. One of the functions of the appendix is producing, storing, and protection of the good bacteria that aids in the digestion of food. An appendix that has a hole in it (perforated) can leak and infect the entire abdomen area, which can be life threatening. Most often, the first symptom is pain around your belly button. The pain may be mild at first, but it becomes sharp and severe. The pain often moves into your right lower abdomen and becomes more focused in this area. Other symptoms include diarrhea or constipation, fever (usually not very high), nausea and vomiting, reduced appetite. Appendectomy can be done through open surgery (small cut in the lower right side of your belly area) or laparoscopic surgery (small surgical cuts and a camera). Surgeon inserts camera and surgical thin instruments through three 5-12 mm cuts at the upper and right part of the abdomen, sub-umbilical, and supra-pubic positions in laparoscopic surgery.