Laparoscopic Appendicectomy

We expect that you will stay in hospital overnight unless you require intravenous antibiotics for a longer period of time or until you have achieved the following:

• your pain is controlled with oral analgesia
• your temperature, pulse, and blood pressure are within normal limits
• you are tolerating your normal fluids and diet
• you are independently mobile, attending to your daily needs
• you do not have any unexpected bleeding or swelling.

Appendicectomy is almost always an emergency procedure. You will be reviewed in the Mater Emergency Care Centre where the decision will be made to proceed with surgery. You may be transferred to the ward to be prepared for surgery or this may occur in the emergency centre.

Prior to transfer to the preoperative holding area nursing staff will:

• apply an identification band
• complete a nursing assessment form
• take your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and weight
• assist you to shower and change into a theatre gown 
• apply anti-embolic stockings and leg pumps which will assist with blood flow through your legs and decrease the risk of blood clots
• take details of any family member who would like to speak with the
• surgeon after the operation.

Your surgeon will visit you before the surgery either in the emergency centre, on the ward or in the preoperative holding area. You will be transferred to the operating theatre on a wheelchair or bed. If you are being transferred directly from the emergency centre your luggage will be delivered to the post-operative ward.

• Immediately following your surgery you will be transferred to the recovery room where you will be observed closely until you are more awake.
• It is common to need oxygen which will be given via a face mask.
• When you have recovered sufficiently from the anaesthetic you will be returned to your room in the postoperative ward. The nurses will take vital signs—your pulse, respiration rate, temperature, blood pressure and observe for bleeding.
• Your doctor will order pain relief and anti-nausea medications for you. Please tell your nurse if you have any pain or nausea, so these symptoms can be managed.
• Immediately following your surgery, you will be resting in bed with your head elevated. When you feel well enough you will be assisted to get out of bed.
• Following your operation you will be offered ice to suck or water to sip. After a few hours you can begin to drink fluids as you are able and then progress to normal diet as tolerated. Intravenous fluids (a drip) will be administered until you are able to eat and drink.
• When you are feeling more awake your nurse will assist you to have a wash and change into your own bed clothes.
• It is important that you begin your breathing and leg exercises. These help prevent complications such as chest infections and blood clots in your legs and should be carried out every hour that you are awake and while on bed rest.

Breathing exercises: Take five long and slow deep breaths. Each breath should be deeper than the previous breath. Think about getting the air to the very bottom of your lungs.

Circulation exercises: Firmly move your ankles up and down to stretch and contract your calf muscles.

• Discharge time is 10 am.
• A discharge summary form will be discussed and provided.
• Your own medications will be returned to you and any new ones supplied.
• Your X-rays will be returned to you. Please remember to ask for them.
• Your nurse will discuss your follow-up appointment and any discharge arrangements that have been made with you.
• It is still recommended to perform deep breathing, coughing and leg exercises while you are resting in bed.
• You may walk as much as you like, short frequent walks are a great way to start.
• You may shower yourself. If your wounds are open, pat them dry with a towel.
• You may have food and fluids as desired.
• Your observations (temperature, pulse) and your wounds will be checked before you are discharged.
• Tablets are available to you if you experience pain. Please tell your nurse if you have pain.
• If you have a drain and it was not removed yesterday, it will be removed today before you are discharged.
• Dressings over port sites/wounds should be left intact for two to three days and then they can be removed.

What to expect after you go home

Wound management

• Leave your dressings intact as directed for two to three days, then you can wash your wounds in the shower, pat them dry with a towel and leave them uncovered.
• The wounds may look slightly reddened and raised.
• There should be no discharge from your wounds.

Nutrition

You may eat and drink as you like, unless otherwise ordered by your doctor.

Pain management

You may experience shoulder tip pain for two to three days. This can be relieved with oral analgesia which will be supplied to you on discharge.

Activity

• You will be mobilising and attending to your hygiene needs independently.
• Post-operative lethargy often lasts for a month or more.

What to avoid

• Excessive activity and heavy lifting.

Report any complications to your surgeon, GP or Emergency department:

• fevers
• pain that is not relieved by analgesia
• the wound becomes swollen, red and warm to touch
• nausea and vomiting which does not settle
• other unexplained symptoms or you have questions that cannot wait until your post-operative visit.

© 2014 Mater Misericordiae Ltd. ACN 096 708 922

Mater acknowledges consumer consultation in the development of this patient information.

Mater Doc Num: PI-CLN-450031

Last modified 09/8/2017.
Consumers were consulted in the development of this patient information.
Last consumer engagement date: 10/4/2015

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