Laparoscopic Appendectomy

Appendicitis is common in children. The most common symptom is abdominal pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. This may be associated with vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite. Lab work and radiologic studies may be done to help in the diagnosis of appendicitis.

The treatment of appendicitis almost always requires an appendectomy. In rare cases when an abscess is present the abscess will be drained and the patient treated with antibiotics with the appendix to be removed at a later date. When removing the appendix laparoscopically, 3 or 4 incisions are made in the abdomen. The surgeon inserts a laparoscope into the abdomen, along with other surgical instruments, and removes the appendix.