This is the most commonly performed laparoscopic emergency surgery. Appendicitis is an inflammation of the organ called appendix, located near the starting point of large intestine (caecum) as a narrow extension with a blind end. Definitive treatment of appendicitis is surgical removal of the inflamed appendix. However, in very rare cases where the appendicitis is diagnosed in early stages, immediate antibiotic treatment (without surgery) may also be considered.
Today, laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard for acute appendicitis treatment. It is a very convenient procedure for the surgeon and the first choice for early recovery of the patient. Laparoscopic surgery is superior to open surgery particularly in cases where the patient is overweight, young female or if the diagnosis is obscure. Very fast management of the patient is mandatory after making differential diagnosis of the disease, since appendicitis develops and progresses in hours, leading to complications.
Laparoscopic procedure is performed through three ports on the lower abdomen. These laparoscopic ports are placed through small key hole incisions (cuts) of 0.5 to 1 cm in length and diseased appendix is removed from 1 cm port. Depending on the severity level of the appendicitis, surgeon may decide to insert a drainage tube in site and remove it later on. With this procedure, appendix which may be found in various positions in the abdomen, can be easily localized using camera, and the overall duration of surgery may last even shorter than open procedure; besides it offers all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery such as less postoperative pain, less scar formation and earlier recovery. The patient can generally start oral intake the next day, and can be discharged from hospital. This disesase never recurs after the surgery.