Appendix surgery

Appendectomy  is a surgical procedure during which the appendix is removed owing to either acute or chronic inflammation. Appendectomy is among the most common surgical interventions in abdominal surgery.

The first successful appendectomy was performed by Claudius Amyand   almost three centuries ago.

It was first diagnosed and surgically treated by Robert Lawson Tait in 1880 and by the end of 19th century appendectomy was widely recognized in clinical practice in both America and Europe.

The new way of removal of the appendix through an incision was described by McBurney in  1894 and it is known today as McBurney’s point.

Almost 100 years ago 1983 Kurt Semm, a gynecologist from Cologne performed the first laparoscopic appendectomy.Since then,this method has been of great importance in abdominal surgery.

Experience has proved that laparoscopic appendectomy has a significant advantage compared to classical method, especially in women and obese patients as well as when it is not possible to establish the right diagnosis.

Other advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy include: smaller incision, less post-operative pain and quicker recovery. The vermiform appendix is 5 mm to 30 cm long and between 0,3 cm and 1 cm in diameter.

Chronic appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix which causes sporadic pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen accompanied by digestive disorders.

Chronic appendicitis is one of the most important indications for appendectomy.

How is this procedure carried out?

Today there are two surgical techniques used in appendectomy: classical and laparoscopic appendectomy and both are successfully performed at the Atlas hospital.

Since the 80 s laparoscopic appendectomy has been more widely used.

Experts: Surgery

• 

  Doc. dr Knežević Đorđe

  Specialist in general surgery
• 

  Dr Dr Zarić Nemanja

  Specialist in general surgery
• 

  Doc. dr Galun Danijel

  Specialist in general surgery
• 

  Dr Dr Pejović Ilija

  Specialist in abdominal surgery