Appendectomy: Q And A With Dr. Kamran Zaib

Appendectomy is the surgery aimed at the removal of the appendix. There are different types of surgeries such as open and laparoscopic, recovery period and effectiveness of each surgery varies from patient to patient. 

Dr. Kamran Zaib Khan is a known laparoscopic surgeon in Lahore. In his interview with oladoc, he raises awareness about a very common disease, appendicitis. Moreover, he also discusses the diagnosis process of thyroid cancer and also shares the best practices and treatment methods for this medical condition. 

Q.1: What is the appendix?

Appendix is present in all animals, in humans it serves as a vestigial organ. It has no apparent function. Inflammation of appendix can occur at any age, characterized by severe abdominal pain.

The diagnosis is made clinically, some tests are done to rule out or rule in other diseases. Especially in females, ovaries are examined in detail to rule out other possibilities such as crystals in the ovaries. Getting an ultrasound done alone cannot diagnose an inflamed appendix, ultrasound only shows appendix in a ruptured state. 

Q.2: What is Laparoscopic Appendix Removal (Appendectomy)?

Well, the latest advances in the medical field have introduced minimally invasive surgeries and this includes Laparoscopic Appendix Removal. It is a keyhole surgery, even being performed in government hospitals. This procedure thankfully causes minimal pain; the scar is very small as well.

Within one day the patient can recover and resume their day to day activities, previously three very small holes were made near the abdomen. Now due to recent advances, now only one small hole is done to remove appendix.  

Q.3: How is a patient diagnosed for Appendectomy? 

All over the world, the diagnosis is made clinically. Questions are asked from the patient and previous medical history is examined because it is important to rule out other possibilities. Females of childbearing age go through a thorough examination of their ovaries. TLC count is also done in the labs for greater certainty. In some cases, not even CT scan can give a hundred percent evidence of inflamed appendix.

Clinical analysis is therefore done; the abdominal area is touched for symptoms on the external surface as well. 

Q.4: What are the risk factors for Appendectomy?

All procedures performed have risk factors, for example there can be excessive blood loss in some cases. A risk certification is done to avoid such factors, cost and benefits of the surgery are weighed against the cons. The procedure which has patients’ best interest is opted for, in some cases if proper action is not taken, the appendix can even rupture which can be fatal. Therefore, an informed decision is made keeping all factors in mind and fortunately, 99.9% of the surgeries are a success. 

Q.5: What is the recovery time required after this surgery?

This procedure has the most benefits for the patient because they can recover relatively quickly. They can resume their day to day activities quickly; the post-operative pain is also less because just one small hole is made. 

If you want to learn more about appendectomy, then watch the full video. If you have any thyroid-related concerns, consult a laparoscopic or surgeon at your earliest. You can also book an appointment with a top general surgeon through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.