More than 300,000 Americans need an appendectomy every year, and it’s one of the most common emergency procedures today. At Lenox Hill Surgeons, LLP in the Lenox Hill area of Manhattan in New York City, the team of board-certified surgeons offers appendectomies using advanced minimally invasive approaches. This allows you to recover and resume an active life sooner, so call the office or use the online scheduling tool now.

What is an appendectomy?

An appendectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your appendix, the finger-like pouch connected to your lower right colon. If your appendix has a blockage and grows inflamed (appendicitis), it can cause severe pain and other symptoms. 

Because your appendix isn’t an essential organ, removal is often the best solution for appendicitis. At Lenox Hills Surgeons, LLP, the experienced group of board-certified surgeons uses the most advanced techniques to safely remove your appendix and relieve your symptoms quickly. 

When might I need an appendectomy?

You might need an appendectomy if you have appendicitis. The main symptom of appendicitis is sudden pain, which may start around your navel but usually occurs in the lower right abdomen. Other possible symptoms include: 

• Worsening pain if you make sudden movements like coughing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Poor appetite
• Fever
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal bloating
• Gas

Appendicitis can worsen if untreated, sometimes leading to an appendix rupture, in which the appendix breaks open. This can lead to a potentially deadly infection in your abdominal cavity. 

How does the appendectomy procedure work?

The surgeons perform robot-assisted surgery with the da Vinci® system or laparoscopic surgery using a couple of very small incisions in the abdomen. 

In laparoscopic appendectomies, the surgical team places a miniature camera through one incision and uses specialized long surgical tools in the other incision to expertly remove the appendix. 

In robotic appendectomies, robotic arms hold the surgical tools, and the surgeons maneuver those arms precisely while viewing the surgical site on a high-definition screen. 

The robotic approach allows surgeons a more extensive range of movement than human hands have naturally, and also provides the highest level of surgical precision.

Because robotic and laparoscopic appendectomy incisions are so small, patients have less blood loss, less scarring, and less pain than with traditional surgery. These approaches also mean less time in the hospital and a faster return to your normal activities after surgery. 

An appendectomy is a safe procedure with a long track record of excellent results. At Lenox Hill Surgeons, LLP, you can count on the safest procedure with the fastest recovery, thanks to industry-leading surgeons and advanced technology. Call the office or click the online scheduler to book your appointment today.