Appendectomy for Appendicitis
Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) requires immediate medical attention, so it’s important to learn its symptoms — and how they differ from a run-of-the-mill stomachache — so you can seek medical care right away. Appendicitis mostly affects kids between the ages of 11 and 20, and is rare in infants. Most cases of appendicitis occur between October and May. A family history of appendicitis may increase a child’s risk, especially in males.
The doctor bases an appendicitis diagnosis on symptoms, a physical exam, blood tests to check for signs of infection such as a high white blood cell count, and urine tests to rule out a urinary tract infection. Usually doctors use CT scan or ultrasound to see whether the appendix looks inflamed.
If the diagnosis of appendicitis is not certain, people with equivocal signs of appendicitis may be watched and sometimes treated with antibiotics. People with definite appendicitis have surgery to remove the appendix, which is called an appendectomy. This operation is called an appendectomy (say: a-pen-DECK-ta-mee). It is a common, simple procedure. This surgery normally will not affect your child’s growth. Your child will still be able to digest foods. Doctors may use laparoscopic surgery for appendectomy. This technique involves making several tiny cuts in the abdomen and inserting a miniature camera and surgical instruments. The surgeon then removes the appendix with the instruments, so there is usually no need to make a large incision in the abdomen. People can live a normal life without their appendix–changes in diet, exercise, or other lifestyle factors are not necessary.
Taking care of your child at home
The incisions from the surgery will be covered by a dressing called steri-strips. You do not need to do anything to the strips. Wash your hands before touching or cleaning the incision area.
A small amount of blood on the strips is common. If the blood seems fresh or if the amount of blood increases, press on the area with a clean washcloth for 5 to 6 minutes. Then call your child’s surgeon’s office.
If the bleeding does not stop, take your child to a family doctor or to the emergency department.
The steri-strips will fall off on their own. You can remove the strips if they have not fallen off 7 to 10 days after your child’s surgery.
Activities
Your child can go back to normal activities once he feels able.
Diet
Your child should be able to return to his normal diet after the surgery. If your child has problems eating, call your surgeon’s office.
Pain medicine
When your child comes home, you may want to give acetaminophen for the first 24 hours after surgery. Follow the instructions on the bottle for the amount of medicine to give to your child. Your child can have pain medicine as needed after the first 24 hours.
Bathing
You can give your child a bath 48 hours after surgery.
School
Your child may go back to day care or school when he feels able and you feel comfortable with him returning to his normal routine.
When to call the surgery team
The main concern after an appendectomy is an abscess (infection). Call your child’s surgeon’s office if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms of infection in your child:
• fever of 38.5°C (101°F) or higher
• thick yellow or green foul-smelling discharge from the incision area
• bleeding at the incision area
• redness at the incision area
• swelling at the incision area
• pain that gets worse, even after taking pain medicine
• less appetite or vomiting (throwing up)
• stomach pain or distention (swelling or fullness)
• your child feels lethargic or very tired or drowsy
If you have a question or a concern that is not urgent, call your child’s surgeon’s office during business hours or leave a message on the answering machine after hours. If you have an urgent concern, take your child to his family doctor, paediatrician, or the nearest emergency department.