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

Risks:

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

Reactions to medications
Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery include the following:

Bleeding
Infection

Additional risks with an appendectomy with ruptured appendix include the following:

Longer hospital stays
Antibiotic treatment

CAUTION:

Untreated acute appendicitis can be deadly. If you have symptoms suggestive of appendicitis (pain in the lower right abdomen, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting)

SEEK EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE PROMPTLY -- see your doctor immediately, call 911 or other local emergency number, or get to the emergency room.
DO NOT use heating pads, enemas, laxatives, or other home treatments.

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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