| Thousands of International patients are being aided by | | | | made. This is to prepare for surgery should it be |
| low cost appendix surgery in India every year. | | | | necessary. Your child may have IV fluids started to |
| Hospitals of appendix surgery in India at Delhi, Mumbai, | | | | make sure he/she has enough fluid intake to prevent |
| Delhi and Chennai are providing cheap cost options to | | | | dehydration. In some cases, other x-rays may be |
| the international patients who are coming to India for | | | | taken including an ultrasound or CAT scan. A |
| their appendix surgery. The appendix, a small portion of | | | | pediatric surgeon will examine your child if the doctor |
| the large intestine, can become infected, causing a | | | | thinks he/she may have appendicitis. |
| condition known as appendicitis. Typical symptoms of | | | | How is appendix treated? |
| appendicitis include pain in the right side of the | | | | If the appendix has not broken open, surgery will be |
| abdomen (near the navel, then progressing lower and | | | | done to remove the inflamed appendix. This operation |
| to the right), abdominal swelling, nausea, vomiting, | | | | is either done through a small incision in the lower |
| disruption of normal bowel movement, and a low fever | | | | abdomen or using laparoscopic surgery. |
| that appears after the other symptoms. The treatment | | | | Laparoscopic surgery involves 3 small incisions in the |
| the doctors usually prescribe is the removal of the | | | | abdomen large enough to insert a telescope-like |
| appendix through an appendectomy. In some cases, | | | | device that finds the appendix and removes it. The |
| they perform laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical | | | | recovery from surgery is usually fast and the child is |
| procedure using specially designed scopes and | | | | often home in 1-2 days. The child will be started on |
| instruments. Indian hospitals of appendix offer world | | | | clear liquids and advanced to a regular diet as he/she |
| class medical healthcare facilities that too at very low | | | | tolerates it. Sitting in a chair and walking are very |
| cost. | | | | important. This may be difficult at first. Pain medication |
| What are the signs and symptoms of appendix? | | | | is available to relieve the pain. Please feel free to ask |
| The most common signs and symptoms of | | | | your nursing staff or the pediatric surgery team any |
| appendicitis are abdominal pain, tenderness, vomiting | | | | questions that you may have. |
| and fever. The pain may be around the navel (belly | | | | If the appendix is ruptured, a larger abdominal incision |
| button) but soon moves to the lower right portion of | | | | may be required to remove the appendix. Peritonitis |
| the abdomen. The most painful area is located | | | | (inflammation of the abdominal cavity caused by the |
| halfway between the hip bone and the navel, but may | | | | release of stool into the abdomen) may occur and will |
| vary. The child may be bent over with the pain and | | | | be treated with antibiotics for up to 10 days following |
| may prefer lying down on the left side with the knees | | | | surgery. Your child may come out of surgery with an |
| drawn up to the chest. Vomiting, and refusal to eat | | | | NG (nasogastric tube) to empty the stomach of acids |
| may be other signs of appendicitis. Diarrhea may be | | | | that are normally produced by the body to digest food. |
| present. | | | | Your child will be able to start on clear liquids and |
| How is appendix diagnosed? | | | | progress to a normal diet after the NG tube output is |
| When the child is brought to the hospital the doctor will | | | | low, the child has bowel sounds (gurgling sounds that |
| do a complete physical exam on the child looking for | | | | signal the digestive tract is working) and the child |
| specific tender areas of the abdomen .Blood for lab | | | | passes gas or stool. It is very important to breathe |
| tests will be drawn to check for signs of inflammation | | | | deeply, walk and sit in a chair as much as possible. If |
| or infection. Your child’s white blood count may be | | | | you need assistance, please ask your nurse or any |
| high if appendicitis is present. Your child will not be | | | | member of the pediatric surgery team. |
| allowed to eat or drink while the diagnosis is being | | | | |