Appendicitis is a disease affecting children and adolescents, caused by the inflammation of the vermiform appendix. This article discusses the procedure and risks of laparoscopic appendectomy in children.
Risks of appendectomy include:
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Infection at the surgical site
Signs and symptoms include redness, warmth, drainage of pus, and fever.
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Bleeding
The incision may bleed during or after the procedure. Bleeding can be controlled with medication or returning to the hospital for further surgery.
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Reaction to anesthesia
Anesthesia reactions range from mild side effects such as nausea and vomiting to rare but more serious reactions involving the heart, lungs, and brain.
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Blood clots that form in the legs or lungs after surgery
These blood clots can be life-threatening if they travel to other parts of your body, including your lungs or brain. Usually, this is seen in elderly patients undergoing prolonged surgery but rarely may affect children.
How is Laparoscopic Appendectomy Performed in children?
- The patient is given general anesthesia. It is the only way to perform an appendectomy, as it is a very invasive procedure.
- The surgeon makes a small incision in the abdomen. Carbon dioxide gas is then released into the abdomen to create space between the abdominal organs and the abdominal wall.
- A laparoscope, a narrow tube containing a light and camera, is inserted by the surgeon through the small incision. The laparoscope sends images of the appendix and abdominal organs to the monitor.
- The surgeon inserts other surgical instruments into other small incisions and uses them to remove the appendix, which will be sent to the lab for analysis.
- The surgeon removes all instruments from the incisions and closes them with stitches or surgical tape.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the performance of laparoscopic appendectomy in children has been greatly improved. This method is a safe alternative to open surgery as it causes fewer complications, is a shorter procedure, and reduces the patient’s stress.
About Dr. Vishesh Dikshit
Dr. Vishesh Dikshit graduated from Govt. Medical College Calicut, Kerala, in 2004 with an MBBS degree in medicine. MS in General Surgery from Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College in Sion, Mumbai, in 2012, and MCh in Pediatric Surgery from Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College in Sion, Mumbai, in 2015.
In particular, he is interested in Pediatric Minimal Access Surgery (through Laparoscopy, Thoracoscopy, and Genitourinary-scopy), Pediatric Colorectal diseases (including Hirschprung’s disease and Anorectal Abnormalities), and Pediatric Urology Disease.