The appendix is a narrow, finger-shaped organ located in the lower right side of the belly. It is connected to the large intestine, and has no function in humans. Appendectomy is done as an emergency surgery for appendicitis because the appendix has become inflamed (swollen) and needs to be removed. If it is not removed, it could burst and cause infection called peritonitis in the abdomen. A laparoscopic or “lap” appendectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the appendix through several small incisions, rather than through one large one. Recovery time from the lap appendectomy is short.

Fast Facts about Laparoscopic Appendectomy

• Appendectomy is an operation to remove the appendix when it has become inflamed; an inflamed appendix is called appendicitis.
• Appendicitis must be treated with surgery right away; if left untreated, the appendix could rupture and cause a life-threatening or fatal infection.
• Your child’s surgery will be done under general anesthesia, which means that he or she will be a sleep during the surgery.
• The surgery will take about 1 hour.