Abdominal Surgery

Appendectomy

Your appendix is located in the lower right part of your abdomen, attached to the beginning portion of your large bowel or colon. If the appendix becomes infected or inflamed, you can develop appendicitis. This will most generally cause pain, nausea, vomiting and possibly a fever. Once a diagnosis is determined, the appendix must be removed.

This can be done laparoscopically through several small incisions with the assistance of a camera. At times it must be done open through a two to three inch incision in the abdomen over the area of the appendix. Most patients can plan on a one to three day hospital stay depending on whether or not the appendix has ruptured. The recovery period is generally one to three weeks.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal weakness in the main blood vessel (aorta) that transports blood from the heart. When the aorta “balloons” to a dangerous size, it must be repaired to decrease the patient’s risk of rupture. Aneurysms that are less than 5 cm in size can be watched very closely and usually do not require surgical intervention. Once an aneurysm reaches 5 cm or causes symptoms, intervention is typically recommended. Most abdominal aneurysms can now be repaired with the placement of an endovascular graft (minimally invasive procedure).

If an open repair is required, these patients must have an extensive preoperative work up including an arteriogram (similar to a heart catheterization). These patients can plan on a five to eight day hospital stay and a four to six week recovery period. After recovery, these patients may resume their normal activities.