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Appendicectomy
APPENDECTOMY
If you have appendicitis, our general surgeons can carry out an appendicectomy to remove it
Why would I have my appendix removed?
Sometimes, your appendix (small pouch attached to your colon) can swell and cause severe pain. This condition is called appendicitis. Medically its not known what causes the reaction. At HCA Healthcare UK, our general surgeons can carry out a surgical operation called an appendicectomy to remove your appendix.
Need to know
Appendicectomies can be carried out using keyhole and open surgery techniques.
Keyhole (laparoscopic) appendicectomy
Your consultant surgeon will make a few small cuts in your abdomen (tummy). They'll then pass a laparoscope (a flexi-scope with a light and camera) into your abdomen. With the inside of your abdomen showing on a screen, your surgeon will remove your appendix using small surgical instruments.
Open appendicectomy
Your consultant general surgeon will make a large cut in the lower-right side of your abdomen. They'll then be able to access and remove your appendix. Open appendicectomies are often carried out if your appendix has already burst.
Keyhole (laparoscopic) appendicectomy
Your consultant surgeon will make a few small cuts in your abdomen (tummy). They'll then pass a laparoscope (a flexi-scope with a light and camera) into your abdomen. With the inside of your abdomen showing on a screen, your surgeon will remove your appendix using small surgical instruments.
Open appendicectomy
Your consultant general surgeon will make a large cut in the lower-right side of your abdomen. They'll then be able to access and remove your appendix. Open appendicectomies are often carried out if your appendix has already burst.
Both keyhole and open appendicectomies are carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you'll be asleep. As a result, you'll be asked to limit your food and drink intake in the hours leading up the procedure. You'll also be asked to put on anti-thrombosis tights to wear during the procedure. These will help to prevent blood clots.
After your consultant surgeon has removed your appendix, they'll close the cuts they've made using stitches. You'll then be transferred to one of our recovery wards, where our dedicated nurses and consultants will care for you. If you've had a keyhole appendicectomy, you may be able to leave hospital after a few days. If you've had an open appendicectomy, you may be able to leave within 24 hours.
You may experience pain, bursting and some short-term constipation for a few days after your appendicectomy. Your recovery time will vary depending on the nature of your appendicectomy.
You may experience pain, bursting and some short-term constipation for a few days after your appendicectomy. Your recovery time will vary depending on the nature of your appendicectomy.
Our Appendicectomy locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.