Department of Surgery

Division of Colorectal Surgery

Procedures

Appendectomy

An appendectomy is the surgical removal of an inflamed or infected appendix (appendicitis). An infected appendix must be removed because if it becomes perforated (leaks), this can lead to infection of the entire abdominal space (peritonitis), which can be fatal.

An appendectomy can be performed as a traditional (open) surgery, or as a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) procedure. Either way, you'll receive general anesthetic, causing you to fall asleep and not feeling anything. With the open procedure your surgeon will make an incision into the abdomen (between the hip bone and belly button) remove the appendix, and close the incision.

Complications are rare, and most people who have an appendectomy go home from the hospital in 1 to 3 days.