Help My Hurt

Virtually scar-free and pain-free appendectomies?

by Marijke Durning, RN on March 20th, 2008

Do you have your appendix? I still do, but many of my peers don’t. Until four years ago, I didn’t know anyone who had to have an appendectomy, but in 2003, my then 14-year-old daughter developed appendicitis and had to have the traditional surgery that left her with a 2-inch scar because he was afraid that her appendix was not far from bursting.

As routine as an appendectomy is, it is a surgery with all the inherent risks of surgery, from the sedation (anesthetic) to pain, to the potential of infections. But, according to researchers, some of these issues may one day be a thing of the past.

Earlier this month, surgeons in California removed a man’s appendix through his *mouth*. The surgeons made a small incision in the bellybutton to insert a tiny camera to see inside. Then, going through the patient’s mouth, they were able to remove the appendix.

May seem like something straight out of science fiction - but if it works, think of the benefits: less pain, quicker healing, and minimal scarring.

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