Old Appendix Operation.

[joko]

Im just curious about this.

when i was 11, i had my appendix out - I went to the hospital and was left in bed for many hours - over night - before the surgery, however after the op, they told my mum there had been complications and they were surprised i hadn't been screaming the place down ... I wasn't even crying as i recall, just lying there in pain etc

she said it had been 'sticky' and sort of 'in the wrong place' so they'd had to cut me open wider and dig deeper, and insert a drainage tube.
i was in hospital for a week.

I was left with a scar of 5 inches, with a 1inch 'dent', where the tube was, that looks a bit like another belly button.

I was just wondering what could have caused these problems?
They may have told her properly, but i was 11 and she probably simplified the explanation.
She can't really remember what was said now - this was 30 years ago.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[Sqad]

That is a good description that you give:
Position:..the appendix is usually in front of the join of the small bowel to the large bowel.
it can be BEHIND this join.
It can be BEHIND the large bowel.
It can be behind the small bowel.

Situation:
It can be lying free.
It can be BURST.
It can be stuck to the small bowel.
It can be stuck to the large bowel.

No big deal.....it can't hide from a hungry surgeon.....particularly if they are young and enthusiastic.............;-)

[whirlyhurly]

I wonder would this be classed as peritonitis, I know my brother as a kid was kept in {Alder Hey} for 3 weeks due to "complications".

[Sqad]

whirly.....it might OR it might not.

Peritonitis indicates that the appendix has burst.

Alder Hey?...did my bit there.......

[whirlyhurly]

Yes Squad, I gather you're an exile from the 'Pool.

[Sqad]

LOL ^^

[whirlyhurly]

Oops! Sqad.

[joko]

thanks all -
yes there seemed to be some feeling that they'd perhaps left me a bit longer than they should.
i guess because i wasnt screaming in pain, they felt they could schedule me in later in the day, as it obviously wasnt 'that bad', but when they opened me they realised they probably should have done it sooner - perhaps it had begun to leak or was literally about to burst, or even burst when they touched it? - hence the need for drainage?

i was only in for a week and and i afterward i think i was mainly just sore really - i many have vomitted once or twice, but i wasnt majorly ill.

[kuulteach]

My sister had the same type of thing happen but she was 30 .... another sister. Worked in casualty ... could check her records .. sometimes they check for krones .. if the appendix isn't as inflamed as would be expected .. not a bad thing ... but you do end up with a deeper scar .... but v v early diagnosis ... I would say a good hospital