The Appendix is a thin tube which originates from the beginning of the large intestine (ceacum), it is located in the lower abdomen on the right side. Normally it has no significant role in digestion, but it can become infected, or can get blocked, resulting in the most common surgical emergency known as Acute Appendicitis. The common symptoms are sudden pain in lower abdomen around the belly button that shifts to right side in a few hours,  Vomiting, nausea and fever are other symptoms that may accompany pain. The diagnosis of Appendicitis is usually straightforward clinical, but can be really difficult and taxing especially in women and often requires blood tests, Ultrasound and CT scan.

The Appendix once infected is vulnerable to burst and in many instances the pus spreads in the abdomen and can threaten life. This complication is known as peritonitis. In neglected cases the pus may finally get contained locally; this Appendicular abscess results in prolonged hospital stay and repeated surgeries.

 Timely Surgery is the best way to treat Appendicitis; it entails removal of the diseased organ. Earlier it involved cutting open the abdomen with all the attendant problems and risks associated with a big incision. Now a days the standard treatment is to do this operation through key hole surgery. Laparoscopic Appendectomy surgery is performed under general anaesthesia through a video system attached to pencil like telescope, and other instruments. Through a tiny 5mm incision the Telescope is placed inside the abdomen. The surgeons can then inspect the whole of the abdominal cavity and locate Appendix precisely and can visualize other organs simultaneously. Laparoscopy enables the surgeon to clean the pus better, than in open surgery.  The smaller incisions help in a quicker recovery, better scar, less infection and other wound related complications such as hernia. Laparoscopic Appendectomy is a more precise and less invasive treatment for this common surgical emergency.