What Is an Appendectomy? An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix. It’s a common emergency surgery that’s performed to treat appendicitis, an inflammatory condition of the appendix. The appendix is a small, tube-shaped pouch attached to your large intestine. It’s located in the lower right side of your abdomen. The exact purpose of the appendix isn’t known. However, it’s believed that it may help us recover from diarrhea, inflammation, and infections of the small and large intestines. These may sound like important functions, but the body can still function properly without an appendix. When the appendix becomes inflamed and swollen, bacteria can quickly multiply inside the organ and lead to the formation of pus. This buildup of bacteria and pus can cause pain around the belly button that spreads to the lower right section of the abdomen. Walking or coughing can make the pain worse. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It’s important to seek treatment right away if you’re having symptoms of appendicitis. When the condition goes untreated, the appendix can burst (perforated appendix) and release bacteria and other harmful substances into the abdominal cavity. This can be life-threatening, and will lead to a longer hospital stay. Appendectomy is the standard treatment for appendicitis. It’s crucial to remove the appendix right away, before the appendix can rupture. Once an appendectomy is performed, most people recover quickly and without complications. Why Is an Appendectomy Performed? An appendectomy is often done to remove the appendix when an infection has made it inflamed and swollen. This condition is known as appendicitis. The infection may occur when the opening of the appendix becomes clogged with bacteria and stool. This causes your appendix to become swollen and inflamed. The easiest and quickest way to treat appendicitis is to remove the appendix. Your appendix could burst if appendicitis isn’t treated immediately and effectively. If the appendix ruptures, the bacteria and fecal particles within the organ can spread into your abdomen. This may lead to a serious infection called peritonitis. You can also develop an abscess if your appendix ruptures. Both are life-threatening situations that require immediate surgery. Symptoms of appendicitis include: stomach pain that starts suddenly near the belly button and spreads to the lower right side of the abdomen abdominal swelling rigid abdominal muscles constipation or diarrhea nausea vomiting loss of appetite low-grade fever Although pain from appendicitis typically occurs in the lower right side of the abdomen, pregnant women may have pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. This is because the appendix is higher during pregnancy. Go to the emergency room immediately if you believe you have appendicitis. An appendectomy needs to be performed right away to prevent complications. What Are the Risks of an Appendectomy? An appendectomy is a fairly simple and common procedure. However, there are some risks associated with the surgery, including: bleeding infection injury to nearby organs blocked bowels It’s important to note that the risks of an appendectomy are much less severe than the risks associated with untreated appendicitis. An appendectomy needs to be done immediately to prevent abscesses and peritonitis from developing. How Do I Prepare for an Appendectomy? You’ll need to avoid eating and drinking for at least eight hours before the appendectomy. It’s also important to tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. Your doctor will tell you how they should be used before and after the procedure. You should also tell your doctor if you: are pregnant or believe you may be pregnant are allergic or sensitive to latex or certain medications, such as anesthesia have a history of bleeding disorders You should also arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after the procedure. An appendectomy is often performed using general anesthesia, which can make you drowsy and unable to drive for several hours after surgery. Once you’re at the hospital, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical examination. During the exam, your doctor will gently push against your abdomen to pinpoint the source of your abdominal pain. Your doctor may order blood tests and imaging tests if appendicitis is caught early. However, these tests may not be performed if your doctor believes an emergency appendectomy is necessary. Before the appendectomy, you’ll be hooked up to an IV so you can receive fluids and medication. You’ll likely be put under general anesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep during surgery. In some cases, you’ll be given local anesthesia instead. A local anesthetic numbs the area, so even though you’ll be awake during the surgery, you won’t feel any pain. How Is an Appendectomy Performed? There are two types of appendectomy: open and laparoscopic. The type of surgery your doctor chooses depends on several factors, including the severity of your appendicitis and your medical history. Open Appendectomy During an open appendectomy, a surgeon makes one incision in the lower right side of your abdomen. Your appendix is removed and the wound is closed with stiches. This procedure allows your doctor to clean the abdominal cavity if your appendix has burst. Your doctor may choose an open appendectomy if your appendix has ruptured and the infection has spread to other organs. It’s also the preferred option for people who have had abdominal surgery in the past. Laparoscopic Appendectomy During a laparoscopic appendectomy, a surgeon accesses the appendix through a few small incisions in your abdomen. A small, narrow tube called a cannula will then be inserted. The cannula is used to inflate your abdomen with carbon dioxide gas. This gas allows the surgeon to see your appendix more clearly. Once the abdomen is inflated, an instrument called a laparoscope will be inserted through the incision. The laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front. The camera will display the images on a screen, allowing the surgeon to see inside your abdomen and guide the instruments. When the appendix is found, it will be tied off with stiches and removed. The small incisions are then cleaned, closed, and dressed. Laparoscopic surgery is usually the best option for older adults and people who are overweight. It has fewer risks than an open appendectomy procedure, and generally has a shorter recovery time. What Happens After an Appendectomy? When the appendectomy is over, you’ll be observed for several hours before you’re released from the hospital. Your vital signs, such your breathing and heart rate, will be monitored closely. Hospital staff will also check for any adverse reactions to the anesthesia or the procedure. The timing of your release will depend on: your overall physical condition the type of appendectomy performed your body’s reaction to the surgery In some cases, you may have to remain in the hospital overnight. You may be able to go home the same day as the surgery if your appendicitis wasn’t severe. A family member or friend will need to drive you home if you received general anesthesia. The effects of general anesthesia usually take several hours to wear off, so it can be unsafe to drive after the procedure. In the days following the appendectomy, you may feel moderate pain in the areas where incisions were made. Any pain or discomfort should improve within a few days. Your doctor may prescribe medication to relieve the pain. They might also prescribe antibiotics to prevent an infection after surgery. You can further reduce your risk for infection by keeping the incisions clean. You should also watch for signs of infection, which include: redness and swelling around the incision fever above 101°F chills vomiting loss of appetite stomach cramps diarrhea or constipation that lasts for more than two days Although there’s a small risk of infection, most people recover from appendicitis and an appendectomy with little difficulty. Full recovery from an appendectomy takes about four to six weeks. During this time, your doctor will probably recommend that you limit physical activity so your body can heal. You’ll need to attend a follow-up appointment with your doctor within two to three weeks after the appendectomy.

What is the Appendix? The appendix is a long narrow tube (a few inches in length) that attaches to the first part of the colon. It is usually located in the lower right quadrant of the abdominal cavity. The appendix produces a bacteria destroying protein called immunoglobulins, which help fight infection in the body. Its function, however, is not essential. People who have had appendectomies do not have an increased risk toward infection. Other organs in the body take over this function once the appendix has been removed. What is a Laparoscopic Appendectomy? Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical problems. One out of every 2,000 people has an appendectomy sometime during their lifetime. Treatment requires an operation to remove the infected appendix. Traditionally, the appendix is removed through an incision in the right lower abdominal wall. In most laparoscopic appendectomies, surgeons operate through 3 small incisions (each ¼ to ½ inch) while watching an enlarged image of the patient’s internal organs on a television monitor. In some cases, one of the small openings may be lengthened to complete the procedure. Advantages of Laparoscopic Appendectomy Results may vary depending upon the type of procedure and patient’s overall condition. Common advantages are: Less postoperative pain May shorten hospital stay May result in a quicker return to bowel function Quicker return to normal activity Better cosmetic results Are You a Candidate for Laparoscopic Appendectomy? Although laparoscopic appendectomy has many benefits, it may not be appropriate for some patients. Early, non-ruptured appendicitis usually can be removed laparoscopically. Laparoscopic appendectomy is more difficult to perform if there is advanced infection or the appendix has ruptured. A traditional, open procedure using a larger incision may be required to safely remove the infected appendix in these patients.

Traditionally, the appendix is removed through an incision in the right lower abdominal wall. In most laparoscopic appendectomies, surgeons operate through 3 small incisions (each ¼ to ½ inch) while watching an enlarged image of the patient's internal organs on a television monitor.

Meckel's Diverticulum is a vestigeal remnant of vitellointestinal duct. Its a true diverticulum as it contains all three layers of intestine. It is usually presents at anti mesenteric burder. Usually 2 cm (range 1- 12 cm ) in length, found in 2 % of population , and situated around 2 feet of Ileaocecal junction. 50 % cases it contains gastric mucosa , but may also contain colonic, duodenal or pancreatic mucosa .male : female ration in symptomatic cases is 3 : 1.It may mimic acute appendicitis, so in cases where one is going for surgery for appendicitis , must search for meckel's diverticulum........

The da Vinci® Surgical System provides surgeons with an alternative to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy, putting a surgeon's hands at the controls of a state-of-the-art robotic platform. Our surgeons can perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision.

Intestinal malrotation is a developmental anomaly that occasionally causes an unusual array of symptoms in adults. The delay in diagnosis that is common in patients with malrotation frequently results in a ruptured appendix. Appendicitis should be considered when characteristic signs and symptoms are present, even if the location of abdominal pain is atypical.

laparoscopic appendcectomy

Inserting main port in laparoscopy

A laparoscopic video showing Hemostasis and cauterization during laparoscopy

Laparoscopic duodenal ulcer perforation repair 2

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Clipless

Laparoscopy in Hemodynamic Instable Patient

Virtual Ports, Ltd. (http://www.virtual-ports.com) is a medical device company developing and marketing instruments to improve minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures.
The EndoGrab retraction system reduces the number of ports needed for surgery by eliminating the need for traditional hand held retraction. For the surgeon, this simple solution results in the need for less auxiliary personnel, a decreased overall surgery cost, and more control over the surgery. The EndoGrab also offers added benefit to the patient who will experience less post-operative discomfort and scarring.

The EndoGrab is an internally anchored, hands-free retracting device that is introduced at the start of surgery through a 5mm trocar by means of a proprietary Applier tool. The Surgeon uses the Applier to attach the EndoGrab to both the organ requiring retraction and to the internal abdominal wall, thereby removing the organ from the operative field. The Applier is then removed and the port is free for use by other instruments.
3D video animation produced by Virtual Point Multimedia (http://virtual-point.com)

Neat Stich, an automated Port Closure.
NeatStich is a medical device company focused on development of innovative port closure solutions. NeatStitch is the creator of NeatCloseTM, the first automated port closure device for laparoscopic surgery
3D video clip produced by Virtual Point Multimedia

Left pleura rupture during laparoscopy

J Vasc Surg. 2009 Jul;50(1):134-9. Celiac artery compression syndrome managed by laparoscopy. Baccari P, Civilini E, Dordoni L, Melissano G, Nicoletti R, Chiesa R. Department of General Surgery, Scientific Institute San Raffaele University Hospital, Milan, Italy. paolo.baccari@hsr.it Abstr...

act OBJECTIVE: Celiac artery compression syndrome (CACS) is an unusual condition caused by abnormally low insertion of the median fibrous arcuate ligament and muscular diaphragmatic fiber resulting in luminal narrowing of the celiac trunk. Surgical treatment is the release of the extrinsic compression by division of the median arcuate ligament overlying the celiac axis and skeletonization of the aorta and celiac trunk. The laparoscopic approach has been recently reported for single cases. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting of the CA alone, before or after the surgical relief of external compression to the celiac axis, has also been used. We report our 7-year experience with the laparoscopic management of CACS caused by the median arcuate ligament. METHODS: Between July 2001 and May 2008, 16 patients (5 men; mean age, 52 years) were treated. Diagnosis was made by duplex ultrasound scan and angiogram (computed tomography [CT] or magnetic resonance). The mean body mass index of the patients was 21.2 kg/m(2). One patient underwent laparoscopic surgery after failure of PTA and stenting of the CA, and two patients after a stenting attempt failed. RESULTS: All procedural steps were laparoscopically completed, and the celiac trunk was skeletonized. The laparoscopic procedures lasted a mean of 90 minutes. Two cases were converted to open surgery for bleeding at the end of the operation when high energies were used. The postoperative course was uneventful. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 3 days. On follow-up, 14 patients remained asymptomatic, with postoperative CT angiogram showing no residual stenosis of the celiac trunk. One patient had restenosis and underwent aortoceliac artery bypass grafting after 3 months. Another patient had PTA and stenting 2 months after laparoscopic operation. All patients reported complete resolution of symptoms at a mean follow-up of 28.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic approach to CACS appears to be feasible, safe, and successful, if performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. PTA and stenting resulted in a valid complementary procedure only when performed after the release of the extrinsic compression on the CA. Additional patients with longer follow-up are needed.

A video showing Laparoscopic Resection of Splenic Artery Aneurysm

lapr. nissen's fundoplication

3 Port Cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic Assisted Right Hemicolectomy