Appendectomy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Anatomical landmarks, front view

Digestive system

Appendectomy - series

Overview

Recovery

Risks

Appendectomy

Alternative Names:

Appendix removal

Expectations after surgery:

Recovery from a simple appendectomy is usually complete and rapid. If the appendix has developed an abscess or ruptured, the recovery will be slower and more complicated, requiring use of medications to treat the infection (antibiotics).

Living without an appendix causes no known health problems.

Convalescence:

Convalescence is usually short, and most patients leave the hospital in 1 - 3 days after the operation. Normal activities can be resumed within 1 - 3 weeks after leaving the hospital.

Review Date: 10/22/2004
Reviewed By: Brendan T. Campbell, MD, MPH, Department of Surgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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