When your gastroenterologist suspects appendicitis, he/she will put you through a few tests to diagnose it conclusively. Depending on the severity of the inflammation, and your medical history, he may suggest laparoscopic surgery to give you the option to choose this minimally invasive surgery for safer results. This is also a two-pronged advantage to probe the severity of appendicitis and cut it away to remove it.

During a laparoscopic appendectomy, your surgeon will make a few keyhole-sized incisions in your abdomen. A small, narrow tube called a cannula will be inserted into one of the incisions to inflate your abdomen with carbon dioxide gas. This gas allows the surgeon to see your appendix. Once the abdomen is inflated, the laparoscope, which is a thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the end, will be inserted through the incision. The camera will beam the images on a monitor, allowing the surgeon to see inside your abdomen and guide the instruments. When the appendix is found, it will be tied off with stitches and removed. The small incisions are then cleaned, sutured, and dressed.

Laparoscopic surgery is often the best option for the elderly and the obese. It has fewer risks than an open appendectomy procedure, and a shorter recovery time hence a short hospital stay. However, if the appendix has ruptured, open surgery may be recommended.