An appendectomy is typically performed laparoscopically with three small incisions.  The appendix is removed from the base of the cecum (first part of the large intestine or colon).  The appendix is placed in a bag within the abdomen to prevent spreading infection to the abdomen or abdominal incisions.  The incisions are closed with absorbable sutures.  The surgery typically can be done in 30 minutes to 1 hour.  Most patients feel much less pain after surgery than they did before surgery despite the incisions and surgery.  Only if you have complicated appendicitis with a perforation or abscess would your stay be longer or require prolonged antibiotics.  Most patients have a low chance of complications.  

Following surgery, most patients are discharged within 30 minutes to 12 hours after surgery.  Some require an overnight admission due to the time of day of the surgery.  Routine discharge instructions are sent home providing instructions for wound care, diet, activity and medication instructions.  Pain medications are electronically prescribed to your pharmacy.  Usually, patients have a mild degree of pain for the first few days and resolves completely in the first 1-2 weeks.  Patients usually take a few days off from work to recover from surgery.  Dr. Biggs will see you back in the office about 2 weeks after surgery to make sure you have fully recovered from your surgery.  

Until recently, almost all cases of appendicitis were managed with surgery.  Recently, there has been literature that supports medical treatment of appendicitis as a non-inferior treatment.  This requires several days to weeks of antibiotics, admission to the hospital, and close observance for worsening of symptoms.  Unfortunately, medical management of appendicitis fails in 30% of these patients, thus requiring an appendectomy for resolution of illness.