Appendectomy
Alternate Names : Appendix Removal
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Appendectomy: Indications
Appendix removal is necessary in cases of acute appendicitis. Symptoms of acute appendicitis include:
Your health care provider will:
- Check your abdomen for tenderness and tightness
- Check your rectum for tenderness and an enlarged appendix
- Check your blood for an increase in white blood cells (WBC)
Imaging studies will likely be used. There is no test to confirm appendicitis, and the symptoms may be caused by other illnesses. The health care provider must diagnose the condition based on the information you report and what he or she finds from tests and physical examination. Even if the surgeon finds that the appendix is not infected (which happens up to 25% of the time), he or she will thoroughly check the other abdominal organs and remove the appendix anyway in order to prevent future problems.
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