Appendectomy ProcedureDescription, Latest Information and Doctors
Learn About Appendectomy
An appendectomy is surgery to remove the appendix.
Appendix removal; Surgery - appendectomy; Appendicitis - appendectomy
The appendix is a small, finger-shaped organ that branches off from the first part of the large intestine (colon). When it becomes swollen (inflamed) or infected, the condition is called appendicitis. When you have appendicitis, your appendix may need to be removed. An appendix that has a hole in it can leak and infect the entire abdomen area. This can be life threatening.
An appendectomy is done using either:
- General anesthesia -- You will be asleep and not feel any pain during the surgery.
- Spinal anesthesia -- Medicine is put into your lower back to make you numb below your waist. You will also get medicine to make you sleepy.
Your surgeon may make a small cut in the lower right side of your belly area and remove the appendix.
Your appendix can also be removed using small surgical cuts and a camera. This is called a laparoscopic appendectomy.
If your appendix broke open or a pocket of infection (abscess) formed, your abdomen may be washed out during surgery. A small tube may be left in the belly area to help drain out fluids or pus.
An appendectomy is done for appendicitis. The condition can be hard to diagnose, especially in children, older people, and women of childbearing age.
Most often, the first symptom is pain around your belly button:
- The pain may be mild at first, but it becomes sharp and severe.
- The pain often moves into your right lower abdomen and becomes more focused in this area.
Other symptoms include:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Fever (usually not very high)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Reduced appetite
If you have symptoms of appendicitis, seek medical help right away. Do not use heating pads, enemas, laxatives, or other home treatments to try to relieve symptoms.
Your health care provider will examine your abdomen and may perform a rectal exam and pelvic exam. Other tests may be done:
- Blood tests, including a white blood cell (WBC) count, may be done to check for infection.
- Your provider may order a CT scan or ultrasound to determine if the appendix is the cause of the problem since other illnesses can cause the same or similar symptoms.
The goal is to remove an infected appendix before it breaks open (ruptures). After reviewing your symptoms and the results of the physical exam and medical tests, your surgeon will decide whether you need surgery.
Today, many cases of appendicitis are treated with antibiotics only, without an operation. Ask your provider if you are a candidate for this.
Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general include:
- Reactions to medicines
- Problems breathing
- Bleeding, blood clots, or infection
Risks of an appendectomy after a ruptured appendix include:
- Buildup of pus (abscess), which may need draining and antibiotics
- Infection of the incision
Most people leave the hospital in 1 to 2 days after surgery. You can go back to your normal activities within a few weeks after leaving the hospital though it may take several weeks to get back to your normal energy level.
If you had laparoscopic surgery, you will likely recover quickly. Recovery is slower and more complicated if your appendix has broken open or an abscess has formed.
Living without an appendix causes no known major health problems.
Co-Director, The Fetal Center Professor, Department of Pediatric Surgery Department of Pediatric Surgery The University of Texas Medical School at Houston 6431 Fannin, MSB 5.256 Houston, TX 77030 phone: (832) 325-7234 e-mail: KuoJen.Tsao@uth.tmc.edu Dr. Tsao is a Professor at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in the Department of Pediatric Surgery. He is board certified in pediatric surgery with a special interest in clinical trials and minimally invasive surgery. He completed his Pediatric Surgery Training at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He joined The University on August 1, 2007. Dr. Tsao is a clinical researcher with interests in diseases of the neonate and children. His primary research is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal gastroesophageal reflux disease as it relates to chronic lung disease of prematurity. Dr. Tsao has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on several prospective clinical trials. His research program supports medical students and surgical residents interested in pediatric surgical clinical research. Dr. Tsao is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Appendectomy. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Appendicitis, Myelomeningocele, Hernia, Appendectomy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy. Dr. Tsao is currently accepting new patients.
Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
Dr. Peter Minneci grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and did all his training in the northeast. After medical school at NYU, he worked at the National Institute of Health (NIH) and did his surgical training in Boston and Philadelphia. Dr. Minneci also devotes time to clinical research to continually improve treatment plans and patient outcomes. I really enjoy working with children. They are an embodiment of joy, hope and resilience. I strive to improve pediatric surgical care so that I can provide the best outcome at the highest value to everyone involved.My areas of expertise include:Abdominal MassesAnti-Reflux SurgeryBreast DisordersColorectal disordersCongenital anomaliesExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)Gallbladder DiseaseHernias and HydrocelesIntestinal FailureLung masses/lesionsMinimally invasive surgeryPilonidal DiseaseWound Care I approach problems through the perspective of my patients and their families, so I can work through situations in a way that best fits the family’s needs. I also break down complex processes to make them more manageable and approachable. Dr. Minneci is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Appendectomy. He is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Appendicitis, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Appendectomy, and Oophorectomy. Dr. Minneci is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.
OSF Children's Hospital Of Illinois - Pediatric Surgery Center
Kathryn Anderson is a General Surgeon and a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Anderson is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Appendectomy. She is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Appendicitis, Short Bowel Syndrome, and Appendectomy. Dr. Anderson is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.
Summary: Incisional infiltration is the simplest, safest, and most effective anesthesia method for preventing incision pain after laparoscopic surgery, but even using long-acting local anesthetics, the effectiveness of postoperative analgesia can only last for a relatively short period of time. Studies have shown that up to 80% of patients experience postoperative pain following laparoscopic surgery due to...
Summary: Incisional infiltration is the simplest, safest, and most effective anesthesia method for preventing incision pain after laparoscopic surgery, but even using long-acting local anesthetics, the effectiveness of postoperative analgesia can only last for a relatively short period of time. Studies have shown that up to 80% of patients experience postoperative pain following laparoscopic surgery due to...
Published Date: January 01, 2026
Published By: Ann M. Rogers, MD, FACS, Professor Emeritus, Department of Surgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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