Acute appendicitis is treated by surgically removing
the inflamed appendix and cleaning up any infected fluid
inside the abdomen. This procedure is known as an appendicectomy.
Intravenous antibiotics are generally given once acute
appendicitis is diagnosed.
How is an appendicectomy
performed?
Under general anaesthesia, an incision about 6 cm long
is made through the skin and muscles of the lower right
abdomen. The appendix is removed through the incision.
The abdominal incision is then closed.
Alternatively,
the laparoscopic method may be used in selected situations.
This method requires about 3 to 4 small incisions where
the appendix is removed using a laparoscope (special
instrument).
How do I prepared
for the operation?
At the A&E Department
Your doctor will ask you
for your medical history.
Blood and urine may be taken
from you for tests to check for presence of infection
and to exclude other illnesses or conditions.
If you are 40 years and
above, the following may be done to ensure that you
are fit for surgery:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Chest x-ray
The nurse will brief you
on the following:
Your estimated period of
stay in the hospital.
Your estimated bill
size for the hospital stay.
On the Day of Admission/Operation
After you arrive in the
ward, the nurse will help to settle you in and will
check your weight and temperature, pulse, respiratory
rate and blood pressure.
Your doctor will ask you
for your medical history and will examine you.
You will be asked to fast
and an intravenous infusion will be administered as
ordered by doctor.
You may be examined repeatedly
before the diagnosis is confirmed.
Once the diagnosis of acute
appendicitis is made, the doctor will explain to you
the treatment plan and the nature of your operation
as well as its complications.
You will be given intravenous
antibiotics.
Blood may be taken from
you for tests if these have not been done at the A&E
Department.
The nurse will provide
you with the following information:
What to expect when
you are in the operating theatre.
What to expect when
you wake up from your operation.
Hand over any valuables
to your relatives or nurse for safekeeping before
the operation.
You will be asked to put
on a hospital gown before going to the operating theatre.
A nurse will accompany you
to the operating theatre.
The theatre nurse will check
your name and particulars.
After the operation, you
will be closely monitored in the Operating Theatre
recovery suite. If there are no immediate post-operative
complications, such as, bleeding or respiratory problems,
you will return to the ward for close monitoring.
You may vomit after the
operation due to the side effects of the anaesthesia
or feel some pain at the operation site. If you experience
any of these symptoms, inform your nurse. She will
give you an injection to make you feel more comfortable.
Should you need to cough
or sit up, bend slightly and hold down on your operation
site lightly. This will
help to reduce the pain.
Your doctor will assess
for presence of bowel sounds by listening to your
abdomen. This is to assess whether you are ready to
take any fluids.
The Day after Operation
Your doctor will come to
check for normal functioning of your gut and the operated
site for any complications.
You may start taking liquid
and progress to porridge or rice based on your doctor’s
assessment.
Your intravenous drip may
be discontinued if you are taking liquid well.
Walking is important for
a quick recovery. You are encouraged to get up from
bed and walk short distances.
You are advised not to carry
heavy things or do strenuous tasks as these may overstrain
the muscles around the operation site. However, you
are encouraged to continue to exercise moderately.
Your nurse will teach
you how to care for your wound and to look out for
signs of wound infection such as redness and swelling.
On the Day of Discharge
You may be discharged if you are eating well and
the operation site shows no signs of infection.
If you need to have your sutures removed, your nurse
will inform you of the date to do so. If you wish
to have it removed at the polyclinic or GP, please
bring along your discharge letter.
When you are ready to go home, your doctor will
prescribe medication that you will need. Your pharmacist
or nurse will instruct you on how to take the medication.
If there are any queries, please ask your doctor or
nurse.
Your nurse will give you a discharge letter, medical
certificate and an appointment date to see the doctor
before you leave the hospital.
Copyright 2006. Changi General Hospital. All Rights Reserved
2 Simei Street 3, Republic of Singapore 529889
Tel: (65) 6788 8833 Fax: (65) 6788 0933 Reg No 198904226R
