Appendectomy (open)

What are the risks and complications of this procedure?

Just as there may be benefits to the procedure(s) proposed, medical and surgical procedures involve risks. These risks include allergic reaction, bleeding, blood clots, infections, adverse side effects of drugs, heart attack and stroke, and even loss of bodily function or life, as well as risks of transfusion reactions and the transmission of infectious disease, including hepatitis and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), from the administration of blood and/or blood components.

There are particular risks associated with the procedure(s) proposed for me and that these risks include, but are not limited to:

Risks of General Anesthesia: difficulties with breathing and reactions to the anesthetic gases or medications used.
Wound Infection: most common complication.  You should look for redness and warmth at the incision site and alert your physician should these occur.
Abscess Formation: less common and may require drain placement. This is typically seen with complicated or perforated appendicitis.
Injury to the Small or Large Bowel: the bowel can be injured as the appendix is removed.  Post-operatively, you might have fever and pain: Alert your physician.
Obstruction from Scar Tissue or Adhesions: As you recover, your body forms scarring or adhesions inside just like scarring on injured skin.  Sometimes, this scarring can lead to an obstruction of your intestines.
Ileus or Slow Return of Bowel Function: When any abdominal procedure is performed, manipulation of the intestines can lead to a delay in normal bowel function.  You may not be hungry or become nauseated if you eat too soon. A key predictor of the return of bowel function is the passing of flatus.
Peritonitis: Occasionally, the appendix ruptures prior to removal, spilling its contents into the abdominal cavity. Peritonitis (infection of the lining of the abdomen) can occur.
Fistula formation: an abnormal connection between the cecum and the skin can rarely occur.

Living without your appendix has no known health problems.

Before you agree to any operative procedure it is important to remember that each patient is different and that the outcome of any surgical procedure can never be guaranteed. You should understand that there may be complications that have not been mentioned and that it is not possible to anticipate all complications or to answer each and every question. Again, you should be aware that in the practice of medicine unforeseen and unexpected risks or complications not previously discussed may occur.   You should also understand that during the course of the proposed procedure(s), unforeseen conditions may be revealed requiring the performance of additional procedures, and such procedures may need to be performed.