Appendicitis and appendectomy

1. Opening / overview (how appendicitis presents).
   Acute appendicitis usually presents with abdominal pain that migrates to the right lower quadrant, fever, and nausea. It’s common — roughly a few hundred thousand appendectomies are performed in the U.S. annually — and often requires prompt treatment to avoid perforation.

1. What the operation involves.
   Most appendectomies are laparoscopic: 2–3 small incisions, camera visualization, division of the appendix base and removal. Under some circumstances (perforation, extensive inflammation, or anatomy), an open incision may be necessary. The operation itself is typically short (30–60 minutes), but treatment planning depends on whether the appendix has ruptured or an abscess is present.

2. Recovery and timeline.
   If uncomplicated, most patients go home the same day or after an overnight stay and resume light activity in a few days; full activity in 1–3 weeks depending on the case. If the appendix ruptured and there was peritonitis or an abscess, hospital stay and IV antibiotics extend the recovery — sometimes requiring several weeks until you’re back to normal.

3. Risks and benefits.
   Benefit: removal prevents recurrent appendicitis and treats the acute infection. Risks: wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, bowel injury (rare), bleeding, and anesthesia issues. In selected uncomplicated cases, antibiotics can be considered instead of immediate surgery — we’ll discuss that option if appropriate, but it may carry higher recurrence risk.

4. Closing & practical advice.
   If you have severe abdominal pain, fever, or persistent vomiting, don’t wait — early evaluation reduces complications. After surgery, keep incisions clean and watch for fever, worsening pain, or increased redness/drainage, which warrant prompt attention.